December 17th, 2012

There's been a great deal of emotional out-pour following the recent tragedy in Newtown, CT and I must admit I have found myself wanting to join in the cries for a closer look at our legislation around gun control and ownership. More importantly the reform of our treatment of individuals with social and mental disorders and the need for more resources for families of children with such needs has to be acknowledged. 

Something we frequently ask ourselves in the theatre is why?  And the answer has never felt so very driven as is does with Simpatico's upcoming remount of  THE AMISH PROJECT.

Why this play? Why now? Because it is all around us. Violence is constantly in our news feeds and is all too common in the lives of our young minds. With the recent shooting in Newtown, Connecticut we are reminded of the horrors of the world and the capacity of terror a single person can unleash on the most innocent of people - children with amazing futures ahead of them whose place of education quickly transformed into a place of death. It's not fair.  

In the next few days I will begin my dramaturgical research for the play with Amish Grace, the book which served as inspiration for Jessica Dickey's moving work. Please look to Simpatico's Blog for updates on this research.