When it comes to writing a play, the sky is the limit. You can create scripts based on historical figures or dream up characters intertwined in a fantasy tale. It’s your creation, so do as you please.
For Concord playwright Brenda Wilbert, co-owner of Schoolhouse Players with her husband Charles, she has chosen to base a lot of her work around medical education. As a retired nurse practitioner, Wilbert’s life was spent in the medical field, so writing about ailments such as depression, chronic pain, Alzheimer’s and Lyme disease is what speaks to her. Her plays aren’t really written for big theatrical performances, but more meant for stage readings and panel discussions. Like the one that will take place at the Woman’s Club of Concord on Sunday.
Wilbert, a Woman’s Club board member and chairwoman of the arts committee, will bring her play about chemical sensitivities, It’s Not in Your Head, for the special event that’s free and open to the public.
“I have that myself and millions of people around the country have it,” Wilbert said. “Others don’t even recognize they have sensitivities.”
Her story is about a woman who suffers from chemical sensitivities and finds healing through expressive art.
“People are doubting that there’s anything wrong with her,” Wilbert said.
But as someone who deals with those chemical sensitivities on a daily basis, she understands how it can be hard to explain and show there’s an actual issue. That’s part of the reason she wrote the play – to bring awareness to the condition.
In all, there will be seven readers taking part in the group reading that will last less than a half-hour. There will also be a discussion about environmental health with Wilbert and Cindy Croft, a local physician.
“We’re going to talk about how to reduce the products you use and be more natural,” Wilbert said.
And to top it all off, the Woman’s Club will host afternoon tea and desserts.
The reading will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Woman’s Club of Concord, 44 Pleasant St.
To RSVP, email Woman’s Club Vice President Carolyn Stiles at carolynhstiles@comcast.net.
Insider staff
