Breaking the silence around menopause

one month at a time!

Brought to you by the slightly frazzled minds of

The Menopause Monologues co-founders: 

Carrie Vanhouten (Creator), Lulu Braunstein (Producer), Lisa Anne Morrison (Director)

Volume 1, Issue 5 | January 2026

In this issue: *New Facebook Group *New Expert Directory *NYC Talent Search *New 2026 Logo *Pop-Up Show This Weekend *February Workshop *Crowdfunding Update *TikTok Challenge

From the Hot Seat with Lulu

Phew! There's a lot going on these days and women are TIRED. All the rushing around yes, all the terrifying news yes, and probably the post holiday blahs are messing you up. But, I can tell you what has been invigorating me this January, and that is how much women are supporting women. Every time our little team talks to a new contributor or a new menopause expert or team member for the next show or anytime we get to be on a podcast (yes! we have now been on four, soon to be five, podcasts across the country - I'll list them below - alllll worth listening to, of course) we feel heartened, lifted, cared for and worthy. And it helps. We are finding hope and fire in brilliant, entertaining, strong women. And that's you lot. Lucky us.

Keeping it short coz there's a lot in here this month. See you at the pop-up in Lafayette this weekend, or the show in NYC in May!

Podcasts:

There She is with Aimee Ames - Episode 5, From Silence to Spotlight

The After Party on FB with Ann Gobel from Womaness

Women Our Age with Melissa Rivers - available February 13!

The Muslim Sex Podcast with Sadaf Lodhi - also not yet available but WWLYK

Sexy In Your 60's with Dvora Citron - soon to be recorded - watch out you sexy someones!

Let's talk about sex, baby...

Join our new Facebook group- "The Menopause Monologues: Unscripted", with a focus on women's sexual health and wellness in midlife and beyond.

We have added a new page with a powerhouse list of all of our guest menopause experts to date on our website just for you!

Having these clinicians bridge the gap between theater and medicine is exactly what makes our outreach so impactful- a rare bridge between art and evidence-based medicine.

Call for Visual Artists:

The Menopause Monologues is seeking a New York-based visual artist (painter, muralist, or mixed media) to collaborate on our upcoming Spring production. We are looking for bold, defiant work that speaks to the power of the un-silenced body.

If you want your art to be part of a movement that bridges storytelling and medical advocacy, we want to hear from you.

Inquire: Carrie@themenopausemonologues.org

Call for Actors:

We are seeking actors and performers to perform some pre-written monologues for our upcoming New York City run.

Inclusivity at the Core: We prioritize and celebrate casting across:

• Identities: Cis women, members of trans community, and non-binary/gender-expansive individuals.
• Backgrounds: Global Majority/BIPOC performers and all cultural heritages.
• Physicalities: All bodies, ages (looks like 40-70), and physical abilities.

Details:

• Commitment: Zoom rehearsals starting mid-March, tech week April 23-29, performances April 30-May 3.
• Location: Must be local to NYC (or able to self-house)
• Nature: This is a collaborative, labor-of-love production, but we do pay a small stipend.
• To Apply: Please send a headshot/resume and a 1-minute video of a contemporary monologue to Lisa@themenopausemonologues.org

New logo, who dis? Introducing our fresh new look for 2026.

Look familiar? These lips are featured for a split second in an image from our opening "monologue" by Beverly Jane Peatross, "The Ovaryture". Why lips? Well, besides being a cheeky little double entendre, we love these lips because:



• women can still be sexy, juicy, and wild in menopause and beyond
• our movement is about putting taboos aside and saying the things OUT LOUD that need to be said

THIS SUNDAY is our Bay Area pop-up show! We know people always say this BUT there are really only a few tickets left!!

Sunday, January 25th

Doors open: 3pm, drinks and apps will be served

Programming starts at 3:45 with a Q & A with Dr Lee Christianson immediately following.

Crowdfunding update!

We've raised $5,813 (actually it's gone up to $6,052 since writing this!) of our $20,000 goal, with about 50 days left.

Are you the meno-angel we've been looking for?

TIKTOK Challenge!

Okay y'all, we've been stalled at 111 followers on TikTok for forever. We're trying to get to 500, so join the fun and give us a follow!

Until Next Month!

Keep the conversations flowing, even if your period isn’t.**

In Sweaty Solidarity,

Carrie, Lulu, and Lisa



P.S. Forward this to a friend who needs to know she's not alone in this journey.

“The Second Act” is published monthly by The Menopause Monologues, LLC. Want to contribute, be featured, or ask a question? Email us at hello@themenopausemonologues.org

Follow us on Insta and Threads: the.menopausemonologues and Facebook: The Menopause Monologues

A portion of proceeds from every show supports women's health and feminist organizations.



**Sometimes it’s here, sometimes it isn’t; sometimes it gushes, sometimes it doesn’t