In Lisa Loomer's play Distracted, a mother struggles with whether to medicate her son Jesse who has been diagnosed with ADD. The parents have differing views on medication, straining their relationship. Jesse feels judged by his teacher and society for having ADD. Through the family's journey, the play questions what makes a normal child and who truly lacks attention - the child diagnosed with ADD, the parents who choose to medicate, or society. The author's high school performed a shortened version of this play at a theatre festival, where the author played two roles - experiencing the challenges of portraying adults from a teenage perspective.
In Lisa Loomer's play Distracted, a mother struggles with whether to medicate her son Jesse who has been diagnosed with ADD. The parents have differing views on medication, straining their relationship. Jesse feels judged by his teacher and society for having ADD. Through the family's journey, the play questions what makes a normal child and who truly lacks attention - the child diagnosed with ADD, the parents who choose to medicate, or society. The author's high school performed a shortened version of this play at a theatre festival, where the author played two roles - experiencing the challenges of portraying adults from a teenage perspective.
In Lisa Loomer's play Distracted, a mother struggles with whether to medicate her son Jesse who has been diagnosed with ADD. The parents have differing views on medication, straining their relationship. Jesse feels judged by his teacher and society for having ADD. Through the family's journey, the play questions what makes a normal child and who truly lacks attention - the child diagnosed with ADD, the parents who choose to medicate, or society. The author's high school performed a shortened version of this play at a theatre festival, where the author played two roles - experiencing the challenges of portraying adults from a teenage perspective.
is struggling with the idea that her son has ADD and what is the best way to help him. Throughout the play Mama and Dads relationship becomes rocky. Mama and Dad both have their views on medicating their son Jesse. Dad, a loving father but is in denial about his sons diagnosis loathes the idea of medicating his son and thinks he is only acting this way because hes just being a boy. Mama a caring mother who just wants the best for her son gives in to society medicating her son even though her husband hates the idea and thinking its the best way to deal with her sons diagnosis. Also Jesse, a hyper but hilarious nine-year old boy feels judged by his teacher Mrs. Holly (a haughty but straightahead women), his parents, and society that is telling him ADD is a bad thing. This relatable and sentimental play has its moments of satire and hilarity. In this play Loomer asks the question of What is a normal child? and Who is really lacking to pay attention; the son with ADD, his parents who medicate him, or society? My high school theatre department performed this play for the METG Festival (The Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild).
METG is a play festival where high schools in
the state of Massachusetts perform a 40minute version of a play, my high school chose Distracted as their fest show. I as well had the privilege to be in the show playing Dr. Waller, the neurophysiologists and a spin-off character named Drita, which is originally the inner voice character of Dr. Karnes. Being in this play was such an amazing experience and was so close to home. Being able to play adults by an allteen cast definitely has it challenges but was able to help us see the point of views of what adults go through and how its hard to make decisions that will affect the people around them, especially what they think is best for their families. In this play we were able to tell the audience that giving attention is the most important thing in a childs life and medicating doesnt fix all-your problems.