Writing a play about KIDS

[Leanne]

I apologize. I posted this incorrectly under Teen Treatment Industry the first time, so...now it's in the proper place.
For anyone who's interested, I am writing a play about the programme and my niece's experiences there. I was troubled and moved by her story, and I thought it needed telling in an accessible way for the ordinary person. She's been generous with her insights and history and the brutality it all, but as I would be interested to hear other points of view as well to incorporate into the writing, I invite anyone to share even the oddest detail, nuance or impression that you can recall about anything at all - food, discussions, the "language" of the programme (which I'm trying to master), Newton himself, the rules, etc. I'm doing some reading here, and it's a great resource, thank you. I've written to the webmaster, but got no reply, so I'm trying to reach out this way. The play is called "Saving Grace: Based on a True Story" and it will be performed in Calgary, Alberta in December at the Pumphouse Theatre. Hope to hear from you.
Leanne
Foxglove Theatre

Innocence implies the ability to restrain from the initiation of aggression, and to question those who don't.
http://www.MisesRomania.org' target='_new'>Sorin Cucerai

[Anonymous]

I think that trying to bring attention to the kinds of treatment that victims of KIDS were exposed to is a wonderful thing.  However, I am personally ill at the thought of a play being the medium through which this is being done.  There are a great number of people who, even 20 years out of the program, have difficulty talking to family and close friends about their experiences.  There are people who have communication problems with spouses and partners because of this experience.  These are actual living breathing people, some of whom might not appreciate their story becoming entertainment on any level.

Humor got a lot of the survivors through their ordeal.  Reciting lines from movies and songs passed time that might otherwise have messed them up worse than they ended up.  Although I'm not sure if anyone has died in a KIDS program, there have been many who died in or as a result of this type of program.  Yes, Miller Newton just got a taste of what he deserves, with the verdict in Lulu's trial.  But that's just a taste of what the man deserves.  I think there is a very special place in hell (or whatever you personally believe in or don't)for that man and those like him.  What he's done is beyond unspeakable.  

I know that one anonymous post from one person will probably not change your mind, and that a million negative comments might not either.  I'm sorry that your niece had to be exposed to this program, and I'm grateful that she has a support network that allows her to move on with her life.  I'm aware that there are books being written, and potential court cases being considered regarding the entire WWASP organization, and perhaps even the Synanon organization itself, possibly going that far back into the root of the problem.  It just seems rather flippant and conceited to think that one could do justice to this story, this soon after it happened, through the medium of entertainment, which is what a play tends to be.    Maybe, in years to come, the victims of these programs will be far enough removed to appreciate seeing their story on film.  

Think of how many years after the Holocaust that the film Schindler's List was made.  Think about the fact that it was done by a well respected filmmaker who took quite a long time researching his topic and making sure that the information presented was accurate and appropriate.  Think of the fact that not only did this movie get made, but Steven Spielberg also created a foundation to help further the cause he was working for, and that it was 50 years removed from the horrible acts that it refers to.  

I'm not saying that WWASP and Synanon affiliated groups are like the Holocaust, I'm just drawing an example.  The children and young adults in KIDS and related programs have lost years of life to this group.  They were, or at least had someone attempt to, brainwash them and subject them to treatment too repulsive to go into.  Please, think long and hard before you go through with this, not just for the sake of all the other survivors, and people still incarcerated in KIDS-like programs, but also for your neice.  Just think about how you'd like for her to remember the work that you're about to begin, and whether or not, especially in such a short time, you could make something that she and others could truly feel good about.

My apologies for taking so much of everyone's time.

[John Olsakovsky]

Piffle.
Art imitates life.  Good or bad, right or wrong, love it or hate it, that place is/was a part of our lives.  
Some people write songs to express their emotions and thoughts and pains and joys and whatever.  Some people write poetry.  Some people scuplt or weld or make handbags.

I'd gladly consult you on the Kids atmosphere.

Heh.  The set would be simple.  Plain white walls.  The 8 steps (condensed from AA's original 12, to be easier for adolescents to grasp, according to Newton) on one of those bare walls.
Two stools facing outward from the wall w/ the 8 steps.
Blue chairs arranged in semicircular rows, with an aisle up the center.  Guys on the left, girls on the right.

Anyone know why that particular arrangment?  Any significance to it?

We didn't tell stories. We shared out past.  We had to 'get in touch' with it.  If you weren't in touch with your past, you were full of shit or you'd 'lost touch with your program'.
It's all derived from the same lingo as AA/NA, really.

'Use your program.' 'Write an M.I.' (M.I. meaning Moral Inventory.  It's a process of working the steps to a specific problem.  It's all bullshit, because those steps weren't intended to be used in the way Newton preaached.)

 There's so much more, but work calls and that takes priority...

[KIDSofEP]

I have a cool .gif working regarding the seating placement of group, however the semicircular rows were assumed by the El Paso group when Newton came to Texas and introduced the "Therapeutic Community Model" verbally to the group.  We heard about this "new" (?) concept regarding the "Therapeutic Community" and bench style seating rows ends turned inward towards staff and became semicircular.

[Leanne]

I understand that some survivors of the programme may feel that a play trivializes the experience. There isn't much I can say to that, except that my intention is not to "entertain". As a playwright, I feel bound to material that challenges and provokes the audience to have another look at something they thought they understood or a first look at something they've never even considered. The term "play" itself seems trivial, however properly channeled the medium of theatre becomes moving, disturbing and enlightening. This is not a money-making venture. Unlike the large production companies backing movies such as the ones you mentioned, I will likely produce this piece at a loss, or if I'm blessed, I'll break even. The story compells me to tell it, just as it compelled my niece to share it so willingly with us. I won't reach every audience member with the seriousness of her life's story, but perhaps one or two might leave feeling a little differently about properly examining treatment options and less judgemental toward any young person whose life is in chaos. The play is about my niece - what she went through before the programme as well as during, and what a miracle it is that she's so well adjusted afterwards. It's also a warning to parents: The kinds of things she did at a very young age are things many kids are drawn into, so be vigilant. Thank you for your concern. When I undertook this task, I knew some of you may not give it your blessing. I will not treat this production lightly.

Thank you also to John for the recommendations re: set design. I had something extremely similar in mind (white walls, blue plastic chairs- I'll use the 8 steps on the wall), so I know I'm on the right track in that regard. John, I wanted to know if you would allow me to use your comments re: if there had been more profit in killing us, he would have. If you give me permission, I can either credit you in the playbill or not, as you prefer.

Leanne
Foxglove Theatre
Calgary, Alberta

I have always thought that all men should be free; but if any should be slaves, it should be first those who desire it for themselves, and secondly those who desire it for others.  Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.

--Abraham Lincoln

[Anonymous]

I am the neice of Leanne and as a victim of the program for seven and a half years I see nothing flippant about trying to get the message out about the program. Yes a play is a form of entertainment but plays can be serious. All efforts to let people know that this happens even today and to even reach one person who may think twice about how to help their child with a place that is like the program then that is one life saved. I feel very strong about this. No one said that we could get it all acrross . How do you even begin to let people in on tne craziness? But the more and more people who stand up and tell the story the more people are aware. I know it is hard I have suffered from Post tramatic stress with , Panic attacks and stuggling everyday to survive and I will do whatever I can to not let that happen to another person if I can. My Aunt is reacherching this she is not assuming so please do not assume for me as I have given her the go ahead to write about me and whoever else would like to vollenteer thier information. Thank you for your concern but this is my view and I am okay with this. I hope you understand this as it does not agree with you but it is not just about my pain but that of someone who could end up like me.
Heather

[a sibling]

I too was a victim of the program for almost 4 years and suffered such horrible abuse, to this day it's hard to even talk about.  I have been in and out of hospitals trying to deal with my PTSD and am still struggling with it.  In the program, I was held down and force-fed, I was restrained and my head was cracked open and was not taken to a doctor (in total I was restrained over 200 times).  I was sexually abused by a host family, I was shoved downstairs, thrown into shower doors, ignored for months in group, and my nightmares and flashbacks are so tremendous that I have attempted suicide many times.  I am still struggling to get my life together and I think what you're doing to tell our story is extremely commendable.  I myself have written a book, I'm almost finished with it and I intend to try and get it published.  Thank you for what you're doing...I hope you're successful...good luck to Heather  -Suzanne