Little Egg, Big World

by Rachel Leighson

As two sides of one life, Little Egg and Grown Uterus struggle to reconcile themselves as both a donor child and an egg donor. Along the way, they sort the unsortable thoughts with a host of real and imagined characters of life from parents, to geneticists, to google itself. As Little Egg searches for her father and Grown Uterus tries to come to terms with anonymous donation, the two navigate through trials of...

As two sides of one life, Little Egg and Grown Uterus struggle to reconcile themselves as both a donor child and an egg donor. Along the way, they sort the unsortable thoughts with a host of real and imagined characters of life from parents, to geneticists, to google itself. As Little Egg searches for her father and Grown Uterus tries to come to terms with anonymous donation, the two navigate through trials of identity, abandonment, betrayal, curiosity, love, and discovery.

A story about reproductive justice, inherited experiences, and family.

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Little Egg, Big World

Recommended by

  • Aly Kantor: Little Egg, Big World

    What is a sperm or egg donor's responsibility to a child born as a result of that donation? Rather than focusing on that story, we follow one such "donor kid" as she navigates her decision to donate eggs herself and perpetuate a process that, at times, harmed her. It's highly theatrical, with near-infinite possibilities for staging. It's complex and compelling and may change the way you see some of the people in your life. I found it incredibly cathartic and moving, and loved that it leaves audiences with positivity and a call to action.

    What is a sperm or egg donor's responsibility to a child born as a result of that donation? Rather than focusing on that story, we follow one such "donor kid" as she navigates her decision to donate eggs herself and perpetuate a process that, at times, harmed her. It's highly theatrical, with near-infinite possibilities for staging. It's complex and compelling and may change the way you see some of the people in your life. I found it incredibly cathartic and moving, and loved that it leaves audiences with positivity and a call to action.

  • Doug DeVita: Little Egg, Big World

    At times whimsical, at times sobering, Rachel Leighson gives us an inventively conceived look at the process of egg donation from the viewpoints of the donor child, an egg, and a uterus. Both funny and sad, it's a wonderfully theatrical work and I recommend reading it quite highly.

    At times whimsical, at times sobering, Rachel Leighson gives us an inventively conceived look at the process of egg donation from the viewpoints of the donor child, an egg, and a uterus. Both funny and sad, it's a wonderfully theatrical work and I recommend reading it quite highly.

  • Vita Patrick Morales: Little Egg, Big World

    I just finished reading this play and it opened my eyes to the uneasiness experienced by donor children. It is funny and serious at the same time but thoroughly enjoyable.

    I just finished reading this play and it opened my eyes to the uneasiness experienced by donor children. It is funny and serious at the same time but thoroughly enjoyable.

Character Information

All supporting characters can be played by one actor for a minimum cast size of 4, maximum cast size of 10. The gender identities indicated reflect the gender of the character, not of the actor playing the role.
  • Sassy Egg
    An experienced egg in the uterus. Sassafras, and ready
    to go. (Supporting)
    Character Age
    Ageless
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Genderless
  • Little Egg
    A child/teen to be played by an adult. Naive, excitable, passionate. A child of sperm donation searching for meaning in this world. (Lead)
    Character Age
    Child/Teen
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant)
  • Grown Uterus
    The adult version of Little Egg. Trying to hold it together while healing. An egg donor. (Lead)
    Character Age
    20s-30s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant)
  • Teacher
    A relatively strict, traditionalist elementary school teacher (Supporting)
    Character Age
    Any Age
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Any gender
  • Mom
    One of Little Egg's mothers. Inherently kind and open, but struggling to understand Little Egg.
    Character Age
    30s-40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Female
  • Geneticist
    A geneticist that lives in Little Egg's head. Ever-blunt. (Supporting)
    Character Age
    Any Age
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Any gender
  • Google
    A physical manifestation of the search engine. (Supporting)
    Character Age
    Any Age
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Any gender
  • Nurse
    Kind hearted, but doesn't understand Grown Uterus' moral struggle. (Supporting)
    Character Age
    Any Age
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    (assigned female at birth - plot relevant) Female
  • Future Egg
    A child to be played by an adult. The future child of Grown Uterus. Nonjudgemental. (Supporting)
    Character Age
    A child
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Any gender
  • Teenage Crush
    Little Egg's high school crush. A fellow donor kid. Smart, but semi-troubled. Very popular. (Supporting)
    Character Age
    Teen
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Any gender (but likely female)
  • Half-Sibling
    Little Egg's half-sibling. Very eager and impulsive. (Supporting)
    Character Age
    20s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Race
    Character Gender Identity
    Any gender
  • Fellow Uterus
    Character Age
    Any Age
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Any

Development History

  • Type Reading, , Year 2022
  • Type Workshop, Organization Theatre Row, Year 2022

Awards

  • Second Rounder in the Playwriting Competition
    Austin Film Festival
    2023
  • Jane Chambers Award for Feminist Playwriting
    Women and Theatre Program, ATHE
    Honorable Mention
    2022