We’re excited to share an in-depth conversation with Maria Bauman and the folks at The Staten Islander about her powerful new work, These are the bodies that have not borne.
In this interview, Maria talks about the themes driving the piece—stories of people who have not borne children, by choice or by circumstance. She invites us to sit with the complexity of that experience, and with the emotions, questions, and societal expectations surrounding it.
Maria shares deeply personal insights about living in a body, especially one assigned female at birth, in a world that often silences or misunderstands those bodies. From the stigmas around menstruation and reproductive disorders, to the erasure of trans and gender-diverse people in reproductive narratives, this performance brings visibility to what has long been hidden.
They also discuss the role of midwifery. A featured midwife in the performance embodies the role of a caretaker, grounding the dancers as they enact this ritual. As holistic guides to wellness, Maria reminds us that midwives provide much more than prenatal care.
The interview is rich with insight and grounded in love for our bodies. We hope you’ll watch and reflect with us.