EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ABORTION IN ONE HOUR OR LESS: How One Play Aims to Empower Audiences Worldwide

When we think about theatre, we often picture grand stages, plush seating, and escapism in musical numbers or period dramas. But sometimes, theatre steps beyond entertainment to become a political tool, a rallying cry, and a lifeline for those grappling with urgent social issues. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ABORTION IN ONE HOUR OR LESS is one such creation—bold, timely, and designed to provoke meaningful conversation about reproductive rights. Funded by the Miranda Family Fund (spearheaded by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Luis A. Miranda, Jr., and Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda), this free-to-use play has arrived at a moment when access to reproductive healthcare is more contested than ever.

A One-Act Revolution

Imagine a play so accessible that anyone, anywhere, can download it, rehearse it, and stage it without licensing fees. That’s the vision of The Wish Collective—a group of five playwrights, including Justice Hehir, Dena Igusti, Phanésia Pharel, Nia Akilah Robinson, and Julia Specht. Their new piece, EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ABORTION IN ONE HOUR OR LESS, serves as a stirring follow-up to their first project, THE WISH, which similarly combined activism with artistry.

But this time, the sense of urgency feels even more palpable. Situated in an Oklahoma high school in December 2023, the story follows an educator on the brink of retirement who decides to give her final lesson on medicated abortions, crisis pregnancy centres, and how to be a supportive companion for anyone navigating abortion decisions. Given that the state in question has banned the procedure, the teacher’s actions carry enormous risk. In the climate that the play depicts—and, in many ways, mirrors in real life—simply distributing information can be legally jeopardising.

Such a premise may seem shocking, but it’s also a stark reflection of the precarious landscape surrounding reproductive rights across the United States. By placing this teacher–student exchange in a high school, the piece underscores the generational impact of abortion policies, highlighting that the battles fought today will reverberate far into tomorrow.

A Partnership for Change: The Miranda Family Fund

When the topic of Lin-Manuel Miranda arises, many might instantly think of HAMILTON, IN THE HEIGHTS, or his various philanthropic endeavours in the arts. However, the Miranda Family Fund is actively engaged in far more than musical theatre. Alongside championing diverse storytelling, they stand for what they deem to be fundamental human rights—including the right to education about reproductive healthcare.

With that in mind, the Fund’s decision to commission EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ABORTION IN ONE HOUR OR LESS underscores a clear commitment to social activism. Luis A. Miranda, Jr. and Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda put it plainly in their joint statement: “Reproductive freedom, access to reproductive healthcare, and the freedom to access information about reproductive healthcare is a fundamental human right.” By removing the usual financial barriers to staging a play, they’ve paved the way for grassroots theatre companies, school clubs, and community groups to share this message without needing a substantial production budget.

When Theatre Confronts Controversy

Throughout history, theatre has often served as a platform for political discourse, shining a light on injustice and advocating for social reforms. From the satirical plays of Ancient Greece to modern docudramas, storytellers have long used the stage to speak truth to power. That tradition continues in EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ABORTION IN ONE HOUR OR LESS, which unabashedly tackles the nuances—and heated debates—surrounding abortion.

The Wish Collective formed five years ago out of a desire to address what they call a “loss of Roe v. Wade” and the ongoing threats to bodily autonomy. Nia Akilah Robinson emphasises the group’s unity in diversity: “Dena, Julia, Phanésia, Justice, and I come from different places globally, our bodies show up in the world differently, but we’ve found a way to collaborate because of a common belief: our bodies, our choice.” Their plays take this belief and translate it into performative, emotionally resonant texts, capable of igniting change in both theatre audiences and passers-by who might stumble across a protest reading.

The Story at the Centre

Set in December 2023, the play’s action unfolds in an Oklahoma high school classroom. The educator at its heart—on her last day before retirement—opts for radical honesty, guiding her students through the practicalities of medicated abortion and revealing the true nature of crisis pregnancy centres. Rather than delivering a moral lecture, she offers crucial details that empower students to make informed decisions and support peers who might need an abortion.

It’s significant that the storyline includes not just the teacher’s act of sharing information but also the students’ choice to consent to this knowledge. At a time when reproductive care is criminalised or marginalised in many regions, the simple act of saying “yes, I want to learn” can be an act of rebellion.

Theatre as a Community Tool

One of the most remarkable elements of EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ABORTION IN ONE HOUR OR LESS is that it’s free to adapt, edit, or alter as readers see fit. The Wish Collective encourages those who discover the script to use it in creative ways—whether it’s reading scenes aloud at protests, incorporating excerpts into classroom discussions, or staging a full-scale performance in a local theatre. The previous script, THE WISH, was performed in diverse venues across the country, including the Texas State Capitol. Such flexibility ensures that the piece remains relevant to the needs of each unique community, embedding itself wherever the conversation about reproductive rights is most urgent.

In a sense, it’s an open-source model for theatre. By forgoing licensing fees, the playwrights ensure that even small, underfunded groups—be they school drama clubs, advocacy organisations, or grassroots theatre collectives—can participate in shaping the narrative. This approach resonates with a broader shift in the arts towards community-centric storytelling, where the distinction between “professional” and “amateur” theatre becomes less critical than the story’s potential to foster dialogue.

Beyond the United States

Though the play is set in Oklahoma and addresses policies particular to the American legal framework, the questions it raises echo in many corners of the globe. Even in nations with more liberal abortion policies, the spectre of political backlash or shifting legislation remains. While references to Australian theatre aren’t directly present in the script, it’s easy to see how this piece might interest theatre groups internationally, including in Australia—where reproductive rights have also been the subject of legal and social debate.

Thanks to the open-access nature of the script, there’s no reason productions can’t crop up in cities like Sydney or Melbourne, adapted to suit local contexts. This global adaptability is part of what makes theatre so enduring; universal themes of bodily autonomy, healthcare access, and the power of information can traverse cultural borders with surprising ease.

The Wish Collective: More than a Play

Although the new script sits at the forefront of The Wish Collective’s activity, the group itself is more than a one-project wonder. Describing themselves as a “grassroots initiative,” they’re keenly focused on pro-choice theatre-making, championing the voices of creatives who might live or work in regions hostile to reproductive rights. This advocacy extends beyond the stage, enveloping real-world practices—such as ensuring the safety and well-being of those involved in productions, and providing resources to theatre-makers who might otherwise face punitive measures for tackling such hot-button material.

Their mission aligns with a growing trend: the convergence of activism and the performing arts. While commercial theatre is often revenue-driven, smaller collectives are discovering new ways to make art that matters, emphasising social impact over ticket sales. Thanks to a partnership with the Miranda Family Fund, The Wish Collective can continue producing—and distributing—work that pushes boundaries and galvanises communities.

Why This Matters Now

In many parts of the United States, the post-Roe era has seen sweeping changes to abortion access, with bans, restrictions, and intimidation tactics creating a fragile landscape for reproductive healthcare. Misinformation further complicates the issue, with crisis pregnancy centres often presenting themselves as medical establishments while disseminating misleading content. The teacher in EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ABORTION IN ONE HOUR OR LESS counters this with factual data, empathy, and open conversation—all of which can serve as a stark antidote to the confusion that reigns in politically charged environments.

For theatre devotees, this script exemplifies what the medium can accomplish at its best: shining a spotlight on underrepresented stories and fuelling social discourse. Add to that the audience engagement inherent in the format—where viewers can respond to the piece in real time and adapt it for their own contexts—and you have a creative endeavour that is simultaneously personal and collective.

A Call to Action

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ABORTION IN ONE HOUR OR LESS is far more than just a title. It’s an invitation to explore difficult questions about autonomy, compassion, and education—right here and now. For those weary of polarised debates that rarely yield actionable outcomes, the play offers a different approach: a narrative that educates, rallies, and encourages theatregoers (and participants) to reconsider what bodily autonomy truly means.

Whether you’re a seasoned producer looking for your next project, an activist eager to stage a pop-up performance, or a high school drama teacher longing to spark critical thinking in your students, this free, downloadable play could be a game-changer. In an era where knowledge and empathy are often in short supply, the mere act of sharing information can be revolutionary. Through EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ABORTION IN ONE HOUR OR LESS, The Wish Collective and the Miranda Family Fund remind us all that sometimes, theatre’s greatest power lies in pointing us toward a more informed, inclusive, and empathetic world.

Download the play HERE