In 2018 three events converged that forced Lauren Hance (writer/performer) to process the connection between the body, spirit, and sexuality. The first event was Lauren's first paper for her Master’s in Theology, Arts, and Culture titled “How Trinitarian Unity Embraces the Female Orgasm as a Means to Marital Oneness.” This paper began Lauren's theological research into the connection between sexuality and spirituality. The master’s program allowed for a thesis project within Lauren’s creative field, and by the end of the program, Holy O was born.

 

The second event was Lauren learning about St. Teresa of Ávilia while appearing as a guest on a podcast. St. Teresa was known for many great things, but what was of particular interest to Lauren were the rapturous-like prayers Teresa experienced. While some still negate the orgasmic-like nature of Teresa’s prayer experiences, the 16th-century Catholic Church affirmed that the raptures were from God. Learning about Teresa’s experiences made Lauren wonder how the body responds when a person is deeply loved, seen, and known.

 

The third, and most personal event, was when Lauren found herself in counseling and couples therapy with her husband because of dysfunction in their relationship and the bedroom. Purity culture had wreaked havoc on the two, and Lauren realized how she had separated her sexuality from her personhood and spirituality. The journey of discovery and path toward healing and hope allowed Lauren to create art from pain.

 

These three experiences set in motion the creation of Holy O. As the ideas for the play were coming together, Lauren started sharing it with friends, and was surprised to find so many women eager to know more. Lauren did not want Holy O to be autobiographical, but she did want it based on real stories. Thus, Lauren began interviewing anyone willing to share their stories concerning body, spirit, and sexuality.

 

In 2020 Amelia Peterson (director/developer) joined the team, and shortly thereafter, Lauren had a first draft of Holy O. In June of 2021 a staged reading of Holy O was the culmination of Lauren's thesis project and master's degree.

 

In 2022 Holy O debuted at Solofest at the Whitefire Theatre in Los Angeles and continues to secure performances worldwide.