Area Agency on Aging invites the community to join their effort to raise awareness and fight the stigma of memory loss with a special, free event that engages our local theater organizations. The play “In the Garden,” is a theatrical video showing that takes place Thursday, October 6 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the GhostLight Theatre, with a virtual option for those who are not able to attend the in-person event.
“In the Garden” by Matthew Widman, tells the story of Arthur Monsetin’s adult children as they come together to decide a course of action for their beloved father who is struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. Long ingrained familial tensions come to the surface as Peter, Karen and Jamie wrestle with how best to treasure their father as they also come to terms with his limitations.
The event is part of Area Agency on Aging’s ongoing work to create a dementia friendly community in our area. To do this they partnered with multiple organizations to help shape the views of people with dementia, to empower people with dementia and recognize their contribution. One of those partner organizations is The Remember Project, a community of theatre professionals who perform plays that bring to life real issues connected to the care, diagnosis, and the experience of dementia. The organization was founded in 2013 by Danette McCarthy to create a space for people, as a community, to learn about and process the impact of dementia. Area Agency on Aging is also working closely with the GhostLight Theatre and Twin City Players on this work and to plan future presentations.
Tickets for In the Garden, either in-person or online, can be reserved at this link. Afterwards there will be a facilitated community conversation about the play, to learn about the Dementia Friendly Communities movement, discover resources and meet with others who are interested in supporting people impacted by a dementia diagnosis. To learn more about the resources available or how to be part of Area Agency on Aging’s work call (269) 983-0177 or visit www.AreaAgencyonAging.org.
By Julee Laurent
MOTM Contributor
