Date of Birth

This play had its beginnings at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames when playwright John Kaufmann’s family made a cassette tape on the day he was born. By a fortunate coincidence, two years ago, the author took a trip to interview his sister and his mother about birth stories, when sister Gina went into labor.

The play is based on recordings of conversations and events during that birth experience. D.O.B. documents private moments from an important life event that would not otherwise have been remembered: simple moments that reveal the relationships, intensity, and absurdity of one particular birthday.