When I first saw Aaron Randolph III’s A Green River at KCACTF my freshman year in college (2015), I was absolutely inspired by the deep and passionate themes within. This was one of the first straight plays that I was hooked on every minute of the show, being inspired to follow Theatre more as a career after seeing the power it had to reach every single person in the theatre that night, regardless of their personal experience. Mental Health is a very serious issue that has affected many of the people in my life, often ruining relationships and lives completely out of the victim’s hands. This piece is very prevalent today, could have been prevalent if it existed in the past, and sadly still will be prevalent in the future.

        Society often looks at men, especially those who serve, as strong and less emotional, which has led to a rise in Toxic Masculinity and increased pressure on all. Mental Health is not just the issue of the one suffering, it often becomes the issue of all around. I chose to direct this piece to help raise awareness of these issues and to show the damage they can cause should someone go without help. We are only the fourth production of this piece, which is still in Workshop by the author, and the first production that the author has not been directly involved in. After seeing this show, it is my hope that audience members will be more aware of the people around them and their circumstances.

        Whether you are suffering or not, reach out. It may save a life. ​

                    

                          - Wesley Skym, Director -