From Screaming Rabbits to Reproductive Autonomy
The Wild True Story Behind the Home Pregnancy Test
Have you ever stopped to think about how much history has been written by—and for—just one side of the room?
Too often, the revolutionary minds who changed the course of human history are quietly erased from the narrative, leaving us with a sterilized version of the past. But Powerstories Theatre is on a mission to change that.
On the latest episode of The Peanut Gallery, we sat down with Clareann Despain, the Executive Artistic Director of Powerstories, to chat about their incredible, boundary-pushing 2026 season: The Greater Good.
Grab a cup of coffee, check out our full interview below, and read on for a sneak peek at the unbelievable true stories coming to the stage.
The Bizarre History of "Predictor" and the Rabbit Test
The flagship show of the season is PREDICTOR by Jennifer Blackmer, and to say it's a wild ride is an understatement. It tells the true story of Meg Crane, the woman who invented the home pregnancy test in 1967.
Before Meg's invention, finding out if you were pregnant wasn't just a private, two-minute wait in your bathroom. It was a massive, days-long medical ordeal.
Here is how the "Rabbit Test" actually worked less than 60 years ago:
- A woman would give a urine sample to her doctor.
- The sample was sent to a corporate lab like Organon.
- Technicians would inject the urine into a female rabbit.
- Days later, the rabbit was killed and dissected to see if its ovaries had reacted to the pregnancy hormones.
Meg Crane wasn’t a scientist; she was a 26-year-old graphic designer hired by a pharmaceutical company to design cosmetics packaging. But her office happened to be right above the basement where the lab kept the rabbits. Hearing them scream sparked a realization: This isn't a science problem. This is a design problem.
"She realized that it's a design problem. It's not a science problem... And she realizes she can solve it with her skills as an artist. And she does." — Clareann Despain
Despite intense corporate pushback from men who questioned the "morality" of women having instant, private control over their own reproductive data, Meg fought to get the test to market. Predictor brings this surreal, funny, and deeply empowering story to life (and the real-life Meg Crane is even joining the theater for special appearances!).
Watch the Full Episode of The Peanut Gallery
Avery Anderson
Sneak Peek: The "Greater Good" 2026 Lineup
Predictor is just the beginning. Clareann walked us through a beautifully curated season bookended by stories of radical bravery and community impact:
Conscience (By Joe DiPietro)
You’ve probably heard of Joe McCarthy and the Red Scare, but do you know about Margaret Chase Smith? She was the first female senator from Maine and the only senator with the spine to stand up on the Senate floor and condemn McCarthy’s fear-mongering tactics—knowing it could completely destroy her political career.
The Wash (By Kelundra Smith)
A powerful co-production with The Studio@620, this play dives into the 1881 Atlanta washerwomen’s strike. Weeks before a major global exposition, a group of Black laundresses organized, demanded fair wages, and pulled off one of the largest and most successful labor movements in post-Civil War history.
Raising 12 on a Nickel and a Prayer (By Fran Powers)
Closing out the season is a heartwarming fan-favorite written by Powerstories' own founder. It’s a beautiful holiday piece about the massive, far-reaching impact of a mother's determination to raise 12 children who would actively go out and do good in the world.
Why We Need These Stories Right Now
As Clareann beautifully put it during our interview, the theme of this season isn't just about historical facts; it's about fortifying yourself. It’s a reminder of what happens when ordinary people step entirely out of their comfort zones to fight for something bigger than themselves.
Watch the full interview above to hear Clareann's take on the power of theater, the magic of community collaboration, and why you need to grab tickets to these shows.
Want to support? Head over toPowerstories Theatreto check out showtimes, buy tickets, or find out how you can volunteer!
What do you think of the transition from rabbit tests to modern autonomy? Which of these historical women are you most excited to learn about on stage? Let’s chat in the comments