The Seeing Place

I just witnessed a wonderful process during a run through of show still in the wee stages of the rehearsal process. The beauty of a story revealing the layers of family dynamics when one lives with autism. Stephen Sondheim said it best, “All the best performers bring to their role something more, something different than what the author put on paper. That’s what makes theatre live. That’s why it persists.”  

Falling written by Deanna Just was an Off Broadway production that played to stellar reviews in 2012. It centers on how the autism of the main character Josh, the 18-year old son affects the lives of each of the family members, and how that spirals out of control when the grandmother visits.

I had the opportunity to sneak a peek at the process of actors in the process of remounting this piece at a regional production. The process is what I want to speak about. Especially during a time when we are all addicted to non- reality, Reality television and the remakes of film scripts from years past. We forget that original stories shine a light on realities that many of us ignore or have no idea exist: The disparity and lack of programs for families dealing with autism regardless of income, ethnicity, or class.  Theatre and art are venues to educate and illuminate hidden and at times difficult to watch images and force them back into the light. When they are visible it creates awareness, empathy, and increased advocacy.We currently live in a society blinded by half-truths and conjecture. Since art is continually being slashed and replaced by more and more tests our youth can only experience American Idol or scripted realities. They may never fully understand or realize the truth embedded in 20 feet from Stardom (great documentary about background singers and the music business).

“The word theatre comes from the Greeks. It means the seeing place. It is the place people come to see the truth about life and the social situation.” Stella Adler. When tears are running down my face, I am reminded that visceral emotion and connection do not always occur often enough. Consider the stories that you want to see illuminated on stage, and remember that as your viewing dollars support the polar opposite of what your heart, mind, and soul actually desire and need.