Baby Brain

by Vicki Meagher

FULL-LENGTH DRAMA (3 women, 1 man)
When a 15-year-old boy on the autism spectrum and a 21-year-old woman with bipolar disorder get pregnant, the mothers of the two would-be parents have conflicting ideas about what should be done.

FULL-LENGTH DRAMA (3 women, 1 man)
When a 15-year-old boy on the autism spectrum and a 21-year-old woman with bipolar disorder get pregnant, the mothers of the two would-be parents have conflicting ideas about what should be done.

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Library

Baby Brain

Recommended by

  • Ellen Davis Sullivan: Baby Brain by Vicki Meagher
    “

    This play pits two mothers against each other: one who supports the decision of her daughter to carry to term her pregnancy, despite the future father being a 15-year-old special needs child and the refusal of the boy's mother to go along with this decision. The play heightens the stakes around an issue that polarizes our society, but is rarely dealt with in a more nuanced and difficult way.

    This play pits two mothers against each other: one who supports the decision of her daughter to carry to term her pregnancy, despite the future father being a 15-year-old special needs child and the refusal of the boy's mother to go along with this decision. The play heightens the stakes around an issue that polarizes our society, but is rarely dealt with in a more nuanced and difficult way.

    ”

Character Information

  • SAM
    SAM: Has a combination of ADHD and high-functioning autism. He is chronically fidgety--is rarely still, except when he's playing a video game. Has a wide range of social behaviors. He seems to be maybe 12 years old. Gets upset when he is forced to acknowledge lemons can't be turned into lemonade.
    15
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • MARGUERITE
    SAM's mother. Thoughtful, contained. Tries to make lemonade out of her lemons.
    Somewhere between 40 and 50
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • AMBER
    Has bipolar disorder, with a wide range of emotional behaviors. She can seem to be anywhere from 16 to 21 years old. Sometimes sees lemons, sometimes lemonade, but not usually both together.
    21
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • GWEN
    AMBER's mother. Passive, optimistic. Wishes other people would see lemonade even when lemons are on the table.
    Around 42
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s

Development History

  • Workshop, The Actors Studio of Newburyport (Newburyport, Mass.), 2018
  • Reading, Playwrights' Platform (Boston), 2016