April saw the return of “A Light in Dark Places”. Founder Kelly O’Malley lost her father to suicide. She founded the program as a safe space for mental health survivors.
The production consists of five plays. Each offers a different perspective on trauma and the process of healing.
The first play, called “Happy Merry”, introduces the audience to a traveling couple. The wife, Nell (Olivia Cinquepalmi), is pregnant. She jokes with her husband, Ezra, about a rest break. Their banter lasts for a few moments before Ezra (Stephen Brodie), finds a suitable place to stop. As he waits, he receives a phone call from his mother (Nancy Sherrard). She wants Ezra to pick up his struggling sister from the airport. What follows is a conversation about familial responsibility and boundary setting. Nell returns from her rest break and offers a much needed outside perspective. Comedic relief ties the piece together as the family leans into difficult conversation.
The next play also explores the impact of interpersonal relationships on mental health.
“Packing” opens to Jackie (Savannah Lloyd) sorting a set of donations. Her mother-in-law (Fiona) joins her. Soon, Jackie reveals her husband’s suicide. She reveals her and shame around the event. Her husband’s friends distanced themselves and want no mementos. The process of packing away the late-husband’s belongings turns emotional. Fiona shares her own insecurities and trouble understanding the suicide. Their frustration takes center stage. A moment of vulnerability becomes their common ground towards healing and acceptance. The ending, while abrupt, is effective in communicating the cycle of grief.
The room darkens. A mural by Ana Haaland glows in the background as volunteers reset the stage.
Third in the lineup is “Hope Springs a Turtle”. A hospital patient meets one Dr. Jorgensen (Isabelle Culpepper). The doctor is determined to gift Blaire (Mikaela Baker) a fake turtle and a bit of advice on her issues. The actresses who portray the doctor and patient commit to their roles. Their performances strengthen the subtleties of the piece. The ending message is one of endurance, strength, and hope.
Next is “Joie De Vivre”. The play introduces a grandfather (Thad Isbell) and his granddaughter, Terri (Tilly Zinser). A picture of innocence, Terri coaxes her grandfather into a search for his lost mojo. She’s been listening to her parents and learned he is missing something critical. So, Terri decides to help his search. Her news of a Halloween party gives her grandfather an opportunity to engage her in a safe way. Ultimately, he finds a reason to resist his apathy and depression.
The room darkens once more, and the stage is set with a table and chairs.
The fifth play is “The Aggravations of Izzy”. The setting is a restaurant. Izzy (Kelly O’Malley) confesses her building frustrations with a friend, Lillian (Meagan Harris). Lillian is late. Izzy grows impatient, until Lillian arrives in a flurry of excitement. Lillian inadvertently acts out each of her friend’s complaints, and the tension between the two grows. Izzy breaks the fourth wall as she approaches her breaking point. Lillian avoids a potential fall out with an unexpected confession. She admits her struggles with overwhelm and anxiety. Then, she expresses gratitude for Izzy’s patience and friendship. Her honesty humbles Izzy. She reassesses her judgements and sees her friend in a new light. The duo share a meal of pancakes and inspire their waitress with their love for one another.
After the set, the cast held a discussion and Q&A session. They shared personal accounts and answered audience questions about resources and community building. The producers also commented on their selection process.
Each play is selected from submissions from around the country. Ms. O’Malley says that some selections are obvious choices. Others like “Hope Springs a Turtle” elicit different responses from the team. In these moments, they revisit the piece. If someone feels a strong connection for a piece, they advocate to have it included. For the team, it reinforces their message that communication is essential to collaboration and recovery.
Visit their website for future announcements and shows.
Complete Set
Happy Merry – Michael P Adams, directed by Chris Millar
Packing – Jessica Moss, directed by Lauren Leblanc
Hope Springs a Turtle – Bill Brohaugh and Lisa Holt, directed by Ale Fips
Joie De Vivre – Joe Godfrey, directed by Morgana Wilborn
The Aggravations of Izzy – Jessica Moss, directed by Ale Fips
Mental Health Resources
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741-741
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: AFSP.org
To Write Love on her Arms: TWLOHA.com
Project Semicolon: Projectsemicolon.org
The Trevor Project: thetrevorproject.org
