I first met Amy and Norah when we were both part of Nightwood’s double bill of (their) Mouthpiece and Anna Chatterton’s Quiver, which I directed in 2016. They exuded confidence and energy. Fresh(ish) out of their training, they were ready to assert themselves on Toronto’s theatre scene. And they made a huge splash – audiences were gaga for their elegantly designed, physically and musically inventive work that was smart, emotional and honest.
When they approached us in 2019 with this project, neither of them had kids (now they have three between them) but they knew that childcare was a hugely urgent feminist issue for all, whether you were – or intended to be – a parent or not.
When we had Theo 15 years ago, we were broke. My partner Rob was on the Mainstage at Second City and I made basically zero dollars. He was gone at work for long days, six days a week making and performing shows. A family on one artist’s salary meant it was impossible to pay for childcare – no babysitters, no daycare. I was never able to afford daycare. When I managed to do small gigs, my entire cheque went to babysitters and I still had to rely on the kindness of friends to come to the theatre to help hold Theo in shifts (Gideon Arthurs has a great story about bouncing Theo around the basement of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre with his finger in Theo’s mouth while he narrated all of the provocative posters to distract him from the boob he really wanted while I rehearsed for Rhubarb).
And it’s not just hard for artists. When my sister had her baby as a single mom, she spent almost half of her teacher’s salary on childcare. When she was diagnosed with cancer and began aggressive treatment, she required a nanny (which was even more expensive) as she was too weak to walk to daycare. She was fortunate to rely on friends and family helping her in many ways.
Somehow, people make it work, but the strain of living with such an enormous lack of support is scary, exhausting and isolating. I never thought having a baby as an artist would be possible. And artist or not, many new parents – especially women – have to exit their workforce just as they are hitting their stride in their careers. Others basically pay to go to work (like I did) simply to remain viable and maintain professional practice. Fortunately, I am now in the glorious era where I don’t have to pay $80 in babysitting each night to attend the various professional events I have in a week. But I did that for thirteen years.
I’m so grateful for the contributions of Quote Unquote’s enormous team who have brought their hearts, minds and bodies (with the help of caregivers!) to make this show. This concert-based theatrical performance is urgent, all too relatable and gorgeous. For those of you without babes, come visit the underworld of the logistics of parenting and muse on how lack of affordable and available childcare impacts us all. For those of you with babes of your own, please take advantage of the childcare options that our large producing/presenting team have arranged for you, and come revel in a stunning production that acknowledges and honours the enormous challenges you face every day.
Universal Child Care runs February 15-25 at Canadian Stage’s Berkeley Street Theatre. The show is created by Quote Unquote Collective commissioned by BroadStage, Santa Monica, in association with Nightwood Theatre, Why Not Theatre and the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund, presented by Canadian Stage.