In this episode we continue our conversation with Emma Ashford about her new musical: Miss America.

MISS AMERICA, a dystopian musical tragicomedy, tells the story of Eve - a driven, idealistic, and accidentally pregnant Indiana 17-year-old on the eve of her freshman year at college. After a failed illegal abortion attempt, Eve ends up at the New Life Center: a pilot prison created by the McGowan administration, which has codified abortion as murder. Over the next 8 months, Eve, alongside her fellow inmates, must reckon with parenthood, purpose, and the gendered expectations that confine all of us. With comedy, heart, and a sweeping score of pop/rock and pastiche, this uniquely American coming-of-age musical nods to hits such as Orange is The New Black and The Handmaid's Tale as it confronts what the reproductive laws of today could mean for us tomorrow.

This episode features recordings of the songs “Not Today” performed by Emma Ashford, and “Miss America” performed by Alysa Finnegan, Nina White, and Emma Ashford.

If you’d like to learn more about the topics in Miss America and support some fantastic organizations, here is some info from Emma below!

Please visit https://www.pregnancyjusticeus.org/ if you’d like to learn more about pregnancy criminalization in the United States and how you can support pregnant people in need right now.

https://www.restoreher.us/ advocates for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women whose pregnancies, children, and lives have been impacted by improper care while serving time (i.e. shackling, solitary confinement, etc). They advocate to protect the dignity, safety, health, and rights of all women directly impacted by incarceration, convictions, and/or trauma.

To stay updated on the show, follow Emma on instagram @emmmaashh, and check out her website: emma-ashford.com

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