PUSH! | Black Futures Initiative

PUSH: Black Mamas Changing the Culture of Birth

PUSH is a devised theatre piece portraying the realities of black maternal health disparities in Oregon and ways people are working for change.

Push is a 60 minute play written by Roberta Hunte, Bobby Bermea and directed by Jamie Rea and Bobby Bermea, Produced by Roberta Hunte and Beirut Wedding. It is a piece informed by the narratives and expertise of Black doulas, public health workers, midwives, birthing people, researchers, and home visitors. It addresses. the critical challenges faced by Black women and birthing people in US medical settings and highlights the humanity, joy, and possibilities for change that are happening on a daily basis. Come laugh, shed a tear, and open your heart to the beautiful storytelling of mamas changing the culture of birth.

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PUSH is a powerful play that ignites transformation from the individual experience to systems and policy.

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Centering Black Birth Stories

Now in its third year, the production has grown in both reach and impact, creating meaningful spaces for reflection, connection, and dialogue around Black maternal health.

Last year, PUSH was presented in partnership with PassinArt: A Theatre Company and CoHo Theatre, and this year we were honored to bring the production to Alberta Abbey. Each space has allowed the stories to meet new audiences, deepening community engagement and expanding the conversation across sectors.

Bridging Storytelling, Advocacy, and Care

What makes PUSH unique is its ability to bridge storytelling, advocacy, and systems change. Audiences are not only moved—they are invited into a deeper understanding of the realities Black birthing people face, while also witnessing the care, joy, and possibilities that exist within community-led solutions. The production creates a shared space where community members, providers, and policymakers can listen, learn, and imagine a more just and compassionate system of care.We are deeply grateful to the partners and supporters who continue to make this work possible.

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A Collective Effort

We are deeply grateful to Beirut Wedding World Theatre Project for their vision, artistic leadership, and dedicated work in rehearsing and developing this production alongside the actors. Their commitment to bringing these stories to life is at the heart of PUSH.

We also extend our appreciation to Oregon Health Authority, OHSU, Women's Foundation of Oregon, Healthy Birth Initiatives, Health Share of Oregon, and Portland State University, including its Black Studies, School of Social Work, and School of Theatre and Music, for their continued support and collaboration.

Together, this work reflects the power of community, culture, and collective action in changing the culture of birth.

Creators

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Dr. Roberta Suzette Hunte

Dr. Roberta Suzette Hunte is a researcher, cultural worker and mother. She is an Associate Professor in PSU's School of Social Work. Her research is on maternal health disparities impacting people of color and community driven approaches to support healthy outcomes. She is founder of The Black Futures for Perinatal Health Collective seeking to create a birth village here in Multnomah County. Push is her fourth creative project informed from her research. She has co-created and produced We Are Brave with Dr Catherine Ming T’ien Duffly a theater piece based on people of color and reproductive health access, and tradeswomen stories in short film Sista in the Brotherhood with filmmaker Dawn Jones Redstone, and theatre piece My walk has never been average with Bonnie Ratner.

Bobby Bermea

Bobby Bermea is an award-winning actor, director, writer and producer. He is co-artistic director of Beirut Wedding World Theatre Project, a founding member of Badass Theatre and a long-time member of both Sojourn Theatre and Actors Equity Association. Bermea has appeared in theaters from New York, NY, to Honolulu, HI. In Portland, he’s performed at Portland Center Stage, Artists Repertory Theatre, Portland Playhouse, Profile Theatre, El Teatro Milagro, Sojourn Theatre, Cygnet Productions, Tygre’s Heart, and Life in Arts Productions, and has won four Drammy awards. As a director he’s worked at Beirut Wedding, BaseRoots Productions, Profile Theatre, Theatre Vertigo and Northwest Classical, Portland Revels, Sojourn Theatre and was a Drammy finalist for Wait Until Dark. He’s the author of the plays Heart of the City, Saint Heroin, Mercy and Rocket Man. He is also a regular contributor to Oregon ArtsWatch. “Do you already know that your existence--who and how you are--is in and of itself a contribution to the people and place around you?" -- adrienne maree brown

Jamie Rea

As a renaissance woman of the theatre, Jamie has had the pleasure of exploring this powerful tool for connection and change for over 20 years. While she has directed everywhere from Australia to Canada to San Francisco to New York City, she makes Portland her home because it allows for a focus on the development of new work which is the foundation of her practice. As a 20 year company member with Sojourn Theatre, a founding member of Scott Kelman’s (The Group Theatre & The Open Theatre, NYC) local ensemble before his passing and as founding co-artistic director of The Beirut Wedding World Theatre Project, Jamie has been a lead collaborator on the development of over 45 new works. In collaborating with government (international, federal, and city level) entities, conflicted communities, and powerhouse artists committed to shaping the world we live in, helping to bring clarity, originality and specificity to new work is how Jamie prefers to show up in the room. Recent local work includes: Hot ‘N Throbbing and Mother Courage (Profile Theatre), the thrice nominated Jesus Hopped the A-Train (Beirut Wedding and Coho Productions), the Drammy-award winning Made to Dance in Burning Buildings (a multi-year collaboration with writer/performer Anya Pearson – first produced Joe’s Pub at the Public in NYC and then here at Portland’s own Shaking The Tree Theatre), as well as two of the Willamette Week’s top 10 picks of 2018, Topdog Underdog(Street Scenes) and B*tch in Kitchen as part of Salt also with Shaking the Tree. She has had the privilege of appearing as Jack in The Importance of Being Earnest, Olympe in The Revolutionists, and most recently as Halina in Indecent all with Artists Repertory Theatre.

A rotating company of talented performers, ensuring a new experience each time.

Our 2026 Cast!

Elvia Reed

Shareen Jacobs

Netty McKenzie

Jasmine Cottrell

Tessa May

2026 Sponsors

The 2025 Cast

Sarah Applin

Shareen Jacobs

Netty McKenzie

Sarah Applin is delighted to blend roles of stage management and acting to support PUSH. Sarah is a current student at PSU, studying sociology and child, youth, and family studies. Recent roles include Deviser in Y/Ours: The Work of Mutual Aid in a (Lonely) Democracy, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, and Patsy in Spamalot. Sarah also studies tap dancing and vocal performance.

Shareen is thrilled to be collaborating with this talented group of artists on such an important project, especially at this pivotal moment in time. While she is primarily known for her work as an actress, having performed in a diverse range of productions, she has also been deeply exploring new creative avenues. Her passion for the craft has led her to delve into directing and devising, and she is eager to bring more of her work from these exciting new perspectives to the stage in the near future.

Netty McKenzie is a singer/actor born and raised in Portland Oregon. Netty was last seen in At The Root (Portland Revels), Last Stop on Market Street (Oregon Children’s Theater), and Matilda the Musical (Portland Playhouse) She is a graduate of Portland State University where she received a B.S. in Theater Arts. When she is not performing, Netty is a Mama of two toddlers ages 1 and 3. She would like to thank her family and a host of black women for their guidance and unwavering love! She Hopes you all enjoy the show!

Jazanna-marie Riddlesprigger

Mimi Evans

Jazanna-Marie Riddlesprigger is thrilled to be a part of PUSH: Black Mamas Changing the Culture of Birth. She is a recent graduate of Dillard University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in pre-law. Jazanna has a background in the performing arts and a profound passion for connecting politics with art. She believes in the transformative power of storytelling and hopes that this production will inspire hearts and minds while advocating for systemic change to improve Black maternal health care. Additionally, Jazanna is a proud SMC Provisional Full Circle Doula Birth Companion. Please feel free to reach out to her if you would like to learn more about her services. Beyond her work in health and advocacy, Jazanna is also a songwriter, poet, and singer. She has experience as a project manager and program coordinator for community organizations.

Miara, who also goes by Coach Mimi; is a dedicated Birth Doula, Perinatal Coach, and Childbirth Educator who is also trained to support families through the full spectrum of birth, including loss and bereavement. Her Doula journey began after the birth of her son in 2023. Inspired by the care she received from her midwifes, she felt called to offer that same presence, guidance, and support to others. With a heart for holistic care and a deep understanding of the emotional and physical layers of birth, Coach Mimi walks beside families with compassion, knowledge, and unwavering support. Mimi is also a passionate dancer, singer, songwriter, actress, and model who uses her artistry to uplift and inspire. She recently performed in Black Nativity, a powerful musical celebration of Black culture, and PUSH, a moving production focused on Black maternal health. Mimi continues to shine as a creative force, using her voice and movement to tell stories that matter. Beyond her work in health and advocacy, Jazanna is also a songwriter, poet, and singer. She has experience as a project manager and program coordinator for community organizations.

2025 Sponsors

2024 Cast of PUSH

From left to right: Roberta Hunte, Rachelle Schmidt, Latoya Lovely, Victoria Alvarez-Chacon, Jamie Rea (co-producer and co-director), Netty Mckenzie, with Ambrosia Johnson in the front.