“Mixed Company Theatre is collaborating with our Associate Artist playwright Catherine Frid to research, develop and eventually tour an original and new stage play about the complex and neglected subject of seniors and suicide.

We will be developing the project initially through conversations and workshops with older adults whose lives have been impacted by depression, suicide, or Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID).

This project aims to open conversations on these topics and help people find new ways to support one another and communicate about these often-taboo subjects.

The final piece will be a Forum Theatre play – an interactive, participatory form of theatre where audience members have the opportunity to step up on stage to enact ways to address the issue presented. We are aiming for this final play, which will be performed by professional actors, to catalyze dialogue, discussion, and action to support seniors and their mental health. 

Community Participation Process

We are hoping to connect with GTA-based older adults (aged 55+), provide a space for them to confidentially share their experiences with these topics, and explore them through theatre games. These stories and workshop discoveries will form the basis of the play Catherine will write so participants will be able to see their insights/contributions reflected in the universal story that will be created for the final piece. Below are the steps of the process community members will be invited to participate in. There is no expectation that participants will continue with each step and they can choose to leave the process at any time and have their stories withdrawn.

For more information, please visit: https://mixedcompanytheatre.com/hope-and-resilience-in-action/

-from Mixed Company Theatre