"Mother's Day" combines spoken word, dance, music, and film to celebrate our mothers. The play will be performed in a variety of theatrical and non-theatrical settings. Performances will be staged in hospitals, nursing homes, retirement communities, veterans centers and community centers -- anywhere where there are mothers -- or sons and daughters of mothers.
The rich tapestry of music, settings, and imagery of "Mother's Day" sparks deep responses from audience members:
"As Susan spoke about her mother's gestures and her words, suddenly I was there -- with my own
mother -- and with my father." (Michael, age 78)
"The play brought up images that were universal, while at the same time being very much of a
specific time and place. Each little part of the story was riveting -- really a remarkable experience."
Cherise (age, 53)
Performances of "Mother's Day" can be enhanced through post-performance discussions and learning experiences. These experiences can be as simple as a question-and-answer session. But they can also include day-long or week-long workshops in memoir writing, story-telling, music, and music therapy.
When time permits, these workshops can culminate in a performance by residents for their fellow community members. As a one-time occurrence, these performances are joyous events that foster self-esteem and social connection. Frequently, however, a single performance inspires participants to create their own drama club, which becomes an ongoing resource for the entire community.
Creator/performer Susan Chase has been an arts therapist for more than 20 years. She has created theater with diverse populations, including children and adults with a range of physical and cognitive disabilities. She has witnessed the profound power of theater to draw out the "best" in each participant -- even those who never engage in group activities.