Conscious party: A staged reading of ‘Wit’ supports women’s health

THERAPEUTIC THEATER: "Wit hopefully allows the audience to appreciate even further the journey that folks take on the road to recovery [from medical diagnoses] — the raw side of their triumphs," says Lisa K. Bryant, director of the upcoming benefit performance at Flat Rock Playhouse. Image courtesy of Flat Rock Playhouse

WHAT: A stripped-down production of the play Wit

WHERE: Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m.

WHY: After attending an annual event hosted by Pardee Hospital Foundation’s Women Helping Women program Flat Rock Playhouse artistic director Lisa K. Bryant felt compelled to aid the organization, which helps uninsured or underinsured women receive medical screenings. These procedures can help prevent or prompt treatment for life-threatening medical conditions.

“Women Helping Women is a tremendous organization that shares the compelling journeys of some incredible people who have overcome profound challenges,” she says. “We wanted to offer our specific expertise as professional storytellers to further encapsulate for people the experience these women go through when in the middle of their personal battles.”

To that end, the playhouse will host a reading of the entire Pulitzer Prize-winning play Wit to benefit Women Helping Women. Author Margaret Edson unravels the journey of a professor diagnosed with ovarian cancer to pose questions about human relationships, mortality and the true markers of a successful life.

“We felt like this play and its exploration into the world of cancer from one woman’s perspective would be a moving tribute to the countless number of women and men who endure and survive cancer diagnoses,” says Kim Hinkelman, executive director for the Pardee Hospital Foundation. “For a minimal contribution and one night of quality performance, people in our community can make a big impact in the lives of women facing a serious health diagnosis.”

“It is a profoundly beautiful exploration of the complex and often ugliest, scariest parts of the human experience,” Bryant says, adding that minimal movement onstage will allow even greater focus on the content. “It touches the deepest parts of all of us and should be shared in community.”

Tickets to attend the reading are $10 each, available by calling 693-0731 or by visiting flatrockplayhouse.org.

 

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About Kat McReynolds
Kat studied entrepreneurship and music business at the University of Miami and earned her MBA at Appalachian State University. Follow me @katmAVL

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