If you are seeking information about the 2012 Fall Tour of IN MY DAUGHTER’S NAME, you’ve come to the right place. Please click on the underlined title to be redirected to the touring website.
In October 2010, the Angels Theatre Company, under the direction of Judith K. Hart, staged the original production of IN MY DAUGHTER’S NAME by Becky Key Boesen. This production was a collaboration with the Lied Center for Performing Arts and introduced nearly 800 people to the story of Amanda Thomas, a young woman who had been murdered by her former domestic partner. Every performance was followed by a discussion with local advocates and people who specialize in helping victims of violence.
That year, the Angels and Becky Key Boesen were awarded The Mayor’s Choice Mayor’s Arts Award for the project. We were honored that people were hearing Amanda’s story…and listening!
In October 2011, Judith K. Hart toured a 75 minute adapted version of IN MY DAUGHTER’S NAME through the state of Nebraska with the help of the Nebraska Arts Council Touring Program. 10 cities in Nebraska participated. Conversations followed these performances, just like the original production.
Now, IN MY DAUGHTER’S NAME is available for national booking. Please click here to redirect to the touring website.
Please read below for more information about Amanda Thomas and for details about the story behind IN MY DAUGHTER’S NAME.
THE FOLLOWING IS A REFLECTION FROM PLAYWRIGHT BECKY KEY BOESEN:
In the summer of 2009, I was a little under 12 weeks pregnant with my second child, Quinn. The pregnancy was “iffy”. I had a lot of physical issues that weren’t present with my first, and I waited with bated breath, sure that this pregnancy would never make it to term.
I was working at the Lincoln Arts Council as the Programs Manager at the time. It was my job to coordinate volunteers for an annual arts festival.
Around that time, I received a facebook request from a little girl to join a group called VOICES FOR AMANDA. I’ve never been much of a joiner, but I was intrigued because the request came from a child. When I clicked on the link, this is what I saw:
A photo of Amanda Thomas, and her children, Taybryn and Skylie. Amanda had been murdered just months before by her former boyfriend, the father of Taybryn. I was compelled by this photo.
As I read on, I learned that Amanda had filed three protection orders in an attempt to protect herself and her children from the man who killed her. I found out that Amanda had been threatened by her murderer and she and her loved ones struggled to obtain an arrest warrant in the weeks prior to her death. No arrest warrant was granted.
Amanda lived in Hannibal, Missouri. I am from Missouri.
Amanda had two children. I was trying desperately to save a pregnancy with my second child.
I felt Amanda.
I was angry. I was also obsessed. I couldn’t stop looking and reading.
I didn’t know this could happen…that a person could be in trouble, fear for their life and have nowhere to hide. No options. I stewed in this for a while.
Meanwhile, back to my job at the LAC: I had volunteers signing up and received a note from one saying that it was best to reach her via facebook. I went to her facebook page. “Jody Schaubroeck”. Her page intrigued me. It was colorful, her posts were poetic and her photo was beautiful.
(Okay, I was probably spending too much time on facebook, but…)
I noticed under “family” on the left hand part of her facebook page, four children were listed.
There, I saw the name “Amanda Thomas” followed by “deceased”.
My hair literally stood on end. I was meeting Amanda from Hannibal’s mom from Utica, NE. This was uncanny.
Sometimes the Universe gives you a shove. I got mine.
I remember contacting Jody and asking if we could meet. I told her I knew about Amanda. I told her how angry it made me and that I wanted to help. I was terrified asking Jody for anything…I’ve never spent time with the parent of a murder victim. I wasn’t sure what to do…so I asked her to lunch. She agreed and a week later, we were sitting a Lazlo’s, a Lincoln favorite.
We shared a giant plate of nachos. I told her I knew how to make theatre happen. I asked if I could tell her daughter’s story. Jody said “yes”. I was amazed by the trust she showed me without asking me to earn it.
When you tell a woman you are going to write a play about her murdered child, you better do what you say you’re going to do…
We spent two afternoons story collecting – I recorded everything Jody wanted to say about her life, Amanda’s life and how Amanda fell through the cracks of the justice system. Then I began writing.
Meanwhile, my pregnancy was progressing, but in a very “touch and go” way. Halfway through the process, I realized I was a mother terrified that I was losing a child writing a story about a mother terrified that she was losing her child.
On January 25, 2010, I delivered my baby Quinn four weeks early, not breathing. He was whisked to the NICU and quickly recovered. Two days later, I took him home. My child was safe.
Jody’s child was murdered.
Somewhere between these two worlds, this script was created.
IN MY DAUGHTER’S NAME is more than a play to me. Masterfully directed by Judith K. Hart, the first production seemed to really touch the lives’ of the audience. Amanda’s story is one I will tell as long as I have breath to do so. I think about her everyday and through the course of time, Jody has become like extended family to me.
A photo from the original production of IN MY DAUGHTER’S NAME. (Photo courtesy of ERIC GREGORY of the Lincoln Journal Star.)
Last spring, Judy Hart and I attended the murder trial. (The first production happened before the murderer went to trial.) I was hoping it would provide some closure for Amanda’s family.
Since then I have learned that real closure isn’t something always achieved by the justice system. Sometimes it’s a matter of sharing a story in the hopes that we can make things better for people who need it. Sometimes, it’s about finding that one piece of light shining through the darkness.
To me, Amanda is that light. I have felt her in the room, or in the seat next to me on a car trip. I find her in songs on the radio. I never had the pleasure to know her, but because of Jody’s generosity, I feel I know her.
It is a privilege to tell her story.
If you’d like information about bringing IN MY DAUGHTER’S NAME to your community, please click here. The touring website is also a great resource for anyone looking for help or information about domestic violence. If you are being hurt, please know that there are people in the world who want to help and will be there when the time is right and it is safe for you to leave.
I leave you with the last line of IN MY DAUGHTER’S NAME:
“My wish for you is my wish for her…to live a long and happy life with a mother that loves you…no matter where you both are.”
- Becky
A recent photo of Becky and Jody.
© 2012 Angels Theatre Company
