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Message Created and performed by Melanie White Directed by Stephanie Adams Garfias Video/Sound/Graphic Design: Aaron Martin Technical Director: Erika Cuenca Stage Manager: Olivia LeSuer

Run time 60 minutes, no intermission As an aspiring empty-nester, comedian and playwright Melanie White skillfully uses humor and drama to tell a relatable story of infertility, adoption, heartache and hope. Knowing she always wanted to be a Mom, Melanie mar-ried a guy who wanted to be a Dad and thought her dream would take care of itself. It didn’t. Not for lack of trying! Using stand-up comedy, storytelling and theater, “The Moms are Alright” tells the humorous and some-times heartbreaking story of a Wanna-Be-Mom realizing it doesn’t take a man to make her a Mom. Sometimes it takes more Moms. Letter from the Playwright Dear Audience, I have heard writers say things like, “the story wrote it-self''. I had never experienced that before—until now. After sharing this story at Story Club at City of Asylum and again at Alan Olifson’s Speakeasy at Arcade Comedy Theater, I sat down with a loose idea for a one-woman show, and the show wrote itself. When I first started my adoption journey, over 18 years ago, no one could prepare me for how much I would fall in love with the women who birthed my children. Their greatest sacrifice is my greatest joy. It is my hope that “The Moms are Alright” can help others see adoption through the lens of love, not abandonment. Thank you so much for coming out to see “The Moms are Alright”. Enjoy the show! Melanie

Bios Melanie White, playwright and actor. Melanie has a rich background in the performing arts, communications, and academia. After growing up in the South, she found the light and her people when she moved to the North-east. With a Ph.D. in Communica-tion, Melanie has enjoyed a successful career in the classroom as a profes-sor, most recently at Florida A&M Uni-versity. Melanie discovered her love of theater at a young age and devel-oped a passion for the stage that has stayed with her. After relocating to Pittsburgh, she continued to pursue her love of performance as a comedi-an, storyteller and playwright. She can be found performing at Arcade Comedy, Brillobox and other comedy venues around the city. Stephanie Adams Garfias, director. Stephanie has worked in professional theater in several stops around the globe over the last two decades. She is currently directing school pro-ductions in Austin, Texas. In addition to her many directing and producing credits which include stag-es large and small, she worked for over a decade as part of the crew for Blue Man Group in NYC and Las Vegas doing wardrobe and make-up.

Thank you/Acknowledgements: A solo show is never a solo endeavor. The Pittsburgh commu-nity is amazing and I am so thankful to live in a city so rich in arts and kind people. Through the generosity of Carnegie Stage and Off the Wall Charitable Trust I get to share this story on stage. The amazing personal stylist Rachel Valozzi of Valozzi Styling is responsible for my stage look. She is an absolute dream and I think everyone should reach out to her for all your styl-ing needs - seriously! My Pittsburgh comedy community has my heart. There are too many individuals to name, but you know who you are - your encouragement and belief in me fuels me through the moments of self-doubt. To my family, I am fortunate to live in the same city with Mol-ly, Andrew, Syd, Cal and Grams - I love you all and am so thankful to get to do life together. And finally, thank you to my husband for your belief and support and to my kids - thank you for allowing me to share our story.