Nan and the Lower Body

By Jessica Dickey
Originally Developed by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, CA
August 11 and 17, 2019




A pioneering doctor wants a full-time successor. A loving husband wants a full-time family. And Nan wants it all. She is the brilliant lab assistant of good-humored Dr. Papanicolaou, the life-saving inventor of the Pap smear. In this frank and funny, engaging new play, Nan has mysteries to unravel and life-changing choices to make. But who can unwind the mysteries of the heart?

Artistic Statement: Nan and The Lower Body celebrates the strength, beauty and mystery of the female body through playwright, Jessica Dickey’s deeply personal connection to the inventor of the Papanicolaou Smear. This play honors the spirit and vision of the Greek immigrant whose (revolutionary) belief that women were to be valued and cared for has saved the lives of countless women. TheatreWorks is honored to present the World Premiere of Nan and the Lower Body, a play that speaks to the best of who we can be and explores the mysteries contained within each of us.

Grant Statement: The generous support of the Edgerton Foundation will significantly expand the rehearsal period, allowing for greater exploration, experimentation, and learning as Nan and the Lower Body moves from the page to the stage. We thank the Edgerton Foundation for its partnership and investment in this valuable creative process which will create lasting impact beyond TheatreWorks’ world premier to every future production of Nan and the Lower Body for decades to come.


Nan and The Lower Body was originally commissioned by the Manhattan Theatre Club, Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director, Barry Grove, Executive Producers with funds provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Director: Giovanna Sardelli