SPADURA

SPADURA is an award-winning solo show on the 'baby industrial complex' written and performed by comedian and writer, Dahéli Hall (Netflix’s DEAR WHITE PEOPLE and MADTV) and produced by Elizabeth Yng-Wong (NBA2K and SHIP OF DREAMS). Framed as an off-kilter baby shower, SPADURA unapologetically takes on the emotional and financial cost of IVF, grief, aging, as well as the unique fertility obstacles faced by Black women in America — all through a funny and gripping solo show.

The film centers on the SPADURA live taping at the renowned LA comedy venue, Dynasty Typewriter on October 12, 2024 by the talented team of: director Allison Caviness (SHOW ME MORE), Emmy-nominated Co-Producer - Quan Lateef-Hill (RED TABLE TALK), Marketing Producer - Kelly Turner, Consulting Producer - Jessica Funches (PROFILED: THE BLACK MAN) and Emmy-nominated Director of Photography - Jerry Henry (THE 1619 PROJECT, HIGH ON THE HOG). Through a mix of stand-up, storytelling, and props, Dahéli includes anecdotes about herself, her Filipino husband, and her Caribbean parents. She candidly shares the journey of trying to conceive their 'Jamaican-Haitian-Filipino-American' baby. Dahéli’s humor and vulnerability make the show unforgettable.

  • Allison Caviness
    Director
    Show Me More
  • Dahéli Hall
    Director
    The Memo, Mandingo In A Box
  • Dahéli Hall
    Writer
    Dear White People, MADtv, Grace & Frankie, Bad Hair
  • Elizabeth Yng-Wong
    Producer
    NBA2K, Ship of Dreams, The Chair, Never Here
  • Dahéli Hall
    Key Cast
    Dear White People, MAD TV, Grace & Frankie, Bad Hair
  • Project Type:
    Feature, Other
  • Runtime:
    1 hour
  • Completion Date:
    May 1, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital HDV
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Allison Caviness, Dahéli Hall

Allison Caviness is a heart-centered director based in Los Angeles, originally from New York City. With a decade of experience as a creative director, Allison balances creative spark with brand strategy as a foundation to let her intuition and imagination play.

Her poetic style lends itself well to lifestyle and culture content as well as pro-social campaigns. She is dedicated to showcasing the beauty, power and vulnerability of the human condition through intimate and vivid portrayals that connect viewers worldwide.

Clients include: AMC, AppleTV+, BET, Bravo, Freeform, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Sony Pictures, Paramount, VH1, WeTV and more.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

A few years ago, I had dinner with my dear friend, Elizabeth, and shared a little bit about the struggles I was experiencing with IVF and my intense writer’s block. I told her that the pandemic robbed me of a vital creative outlet to process my losses: performance. Since we both feel called to bring stories to life that address difficult topics, by the end of that dinner we were making plans for my formal solo show about an issue I didn’t want to say out loud...infertility.

SPADURA feels more like a stand-up show because my roots are in comedy. I encourage the audience to laugh and be part of my journey -- not just spectators. While performing the show, I actively underwent IVF, so Elizabeth carefully shepherded the development process to ensure my well-being. She has been an especially thoughtful creative partner. SPADURA has also helped to expand my awareness of my husband's struggles and the show has evolved to reflect “our” shared experience.

My hope is that people experiencing similar challenges know they are not alone and that SPADURA sparks conversation and lots of laughter, too!

—Dahéli