I’m Under Distress (I.U.D)

A Show by: Noah Boonov | Directed by: Caty Smyck

"I’m Under Distress (or I.U.D.)" is a devised piece about how birth control saved my life and almost killed me. Over the past 15 years, Noah has been dealing with reproductive health issues and exploring their queerness. Roxxie Moore, an edgy alt-female drag alter-ego, has been a vessel for these struggles and triumphs. In this show, Noah and Roxxie will explore sexuality, self-doubt, femininity, and asking why reproductive health is such an understudied topic. This story is honest, messy, sexy, and hopefully, funny too!

Genesis of the Show:

I've always talked about telling a queer story inspired by real-life experiences. My recent health-scare has [been] a catalyst for changing my entire life, and even before that I thought it was important to have honest conversations about reproductive health. After years of struggling with my own reproductive health, I realized how little my friends, family and other folk knew about the kinds of complications I had (cysts, chronic period pain, etc.). Connecting it to drag came after I was unable to perform for 8 months and my comeback as Roxxie signified the start of this brand new chapter of my life. After talking about it with close friends, it just made sense to use both Roxxie and myself in this show. Roxxie is sexy, feminine, rock-and-roll and is heavily inspired by women I wanted to be growing up (Avril Lavigne, Alanis Morrisette, Fiona Apple), all things that Noah has struggled to feel like, especially when dealing with these things that have impacted my reproductive health.

About the Artists

Noah Boonov

Noah Boonov (she/they) is a Winnipeg-born-Ottawa-raised performer, director, writer and theatre educator. Noah is a graduate of Canterbury High School’s Drama program and the Theatre and Film program at the University of Winnipeg, where she specialized in Performance and Devised theatre. During their time in Winnipeg, Noah attended The Village Conservatory for Music Theatre program where she created multiple short new works and participated in their professional mentorship program, It takes Two. She was an Artist-in-Residence with One Trunk Theatre (2021), has performed in the Winnipeg International Fringe Festival with Yours Queerly (2023), subDivision with Skeleton Key (2024), and directed shows for Meraki Theatre and Youth Infringement Festival. Noah is extremely excited to bring her story and Roxxie into the theatre.

Caity Smyck

Caity Smyck (she/they) is a creator, actor, and director originally from Calgary, Alberta. She is currently based in Ottawa after completing her BFA in Acting at the University of Ottawa. She is the current Artistic Director of Skeleton Key Theatre, General Manager of a Company of Fools and the co-founder of Levity Theatre, an emerging non-men queer led theatre company. As a passionate advocate for the growth of independent theatre in Ottawa, she co-created and manages the Ottawa Arts Database, a free website to connect local arts workers, and where they can post opportunities and events.

Instagram: TBC

Premiering October 28-31, 2026.