The latest venture that is being developed by Ginger Stevens, executive director of the Wesley House Community Center, and Bob Cook, who recently moved to Meridian from Los Angeles, is the creation of the Drama Therapy Community Outreach Program.

    As the Wesley House has been a safe place and advocate helping to support victims of sexual abuse and violent crimes for years, The Drama Therapy Community Outreach Program and the Wesley House is a perfect partnership offering a synergistic approach to helping victims dealing with these issues but in a different way, by using Drama Therapy as a foundation for therapy and healing.

    Drama Therapy is one of the “art therapies” like art therapy and music therapy, but Drama therapy uses theatrical and drama techniques as a therapeutic tool to help people address their issues and begin the healing process. Just as psychotherapy treats people who have difficulties with their thoughts, emotions, and behavior, Drama Therapy uses drama processes; live theatre games, improvisation, storytelling, role play as well as tools like puppets, masks, plays and performances to help people understand their thoughts and emotions better or to improve their behavior,

    The first project produced by the Drama Therapy Community Outreach Program in association with the Wesley House Community Center, will be a musical play called “I Can’t Talk About It.”

    Originally produced in Los Angeles, the play “I Can’t Talk About It” was adapted by Steven Breithaupt (see theradrama.org) from an award winning children’s book of the same name, as part of “The Hurts of Childhood” series by Doris Sanford and Grace Evans and published by Multnomah Press.

    “I Can’t Talk About It” is the story of Annie, a 10-year-old girl who through her friendship with a dove discovers the courage to tell someone about her sexual abuse and begins the healing process. It is a story of Annie’s courage, strength  and healing through the power of friendship. The show is an uplifting, positive, funny, educational and preventative tool designed for the very young to the very old. Although the subject matter might be a little scary to some, it is written and performed in a very gentle and entertaining way.

    The first performances were in local churches in the Los Angeles area but the response was so overwhelming, “I Can’t Talk About It” has been performed more than 60 times to more than 10,000 people.

    The music is written by Steve Siler who has written top 10 songs in the Christian, pop and country music industries. His music has been performed all over the world by artists such as Aretha Franklin, Sandy Patty, Kenny Loggins, The Oak Ridge Boys and Patty Labelle among others. Siler’s music can also be heard in movies, television shows and commercials. Siler is a Dove Award winner for the Christian Music industry. His career includes 46 top 10 singles, four platinum and two gold records. Siler will be coming to Meridian to play the show and share his music.

    “I Can’t Talk About It” will be performed at the Temple Theater, 2320 Eighth St., on Nov. 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free but audience members are asked to bring canned goods to help support the food bank at Wesley House or a new toy for the children.

    There will also be a “love offering” with all proceeds going to the new Family Justice Center, which supports and offers aid to children living with these issues. 

    For more information call Ginger Stevens or Bob Cook at the Wesley House Community Center, (601) 485-4736.