USC Aiken
Locally Written, Directed Production Kicks of USC Aiken's Carolina Series
Aiken, SC (10/30/2019) — As part of its annual Cultural Series, the Etherredge Center presents a special new addition known as the Carolina Series which features the work of local artists.
The first performance in the inaugural Carolina Series showcases local theatre veterans presenting their original show, Misery is Optional - Recollections of Recovery on Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m., in the University of South Carolina Aiken Etherredge Center for the Visual and Performing Arts.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at: www.usca.edu/etherredge-center or by calling the Etherredge Center at 803-641-3305.
"Theatre patrons of the Midlands know Dewey Scott-Wiley and Christine Hellman well, but audiences will get to know this award-winning team much more intimately during their new hope-filled production, Misery is Optional - Recollections of Recovery," said Michael St. John, Etherredge Center Box Office manager.
This work is based on verbatim interviews from people in recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction. The playwrights created it in an effort to describe the throes of addiction and the relief in recovery.
"There are lots of false assumptions about what addiction is," says playwright Scott-Wiley.
"This piece is a direct reflection of weaving stories together to spread awareness and hope."
During the show, four actors will depict 45 different characters whose inspiring, sometimes harrowing stories shine a light on a disease that affects 23 million Americans. The writing team spent months conducting interviews and research, beginning in June 2017, to tell their stories.
"We are thrilled to have Misery is Optional kick off our inaugural Carolina Series," said Paul B. Crook, executive director of the Etherredge Center.
"We wanted our first event to be special, and to have one of our own faculty members share this award-winning piece is the perfect opportunity to begin to spotlight the work of South Carolina artists."
Misery is Optional was the official 2017-2018 selection for partnership with the HT@MTC Performance Incubator, founded in 2012. The HT@MTC Performance Incubator invites professional performing artists residing in the Midlands to develop new products suitable for touring nationwide that can serve as sustainable sources of revenue in their artistic careers.
Since the world premiere in February 2018, Misery is Optional has since played at Trustus Theatre in Columbia and the SCSHARE Annual Conference. The playwrights, Scott-Wiley and Hellman, did a TEDX Performance at USC October of 2018.
"I'm a professional theatre artist living in Columbia, and the Incubator is so unique in how it gives artists the chance to create something that will hopefully have a long life," said Scott-Wiley.
"I knew I wanted to do something with recovery theatre to truly spread the message that the depths of addiction are miserable, but optional."
Along with Scott-Wiley and Hellman, the play stars Jason Stokes and Arischa Conner Frierson and features Heather Hawfield as the set designer. Scott-Wiley, Hellman, Stokes, and Hawfield are all company members at Trustus Theatre Company in Columbia, SC.
Visit www.miseryisoptionalplay.com to see reviews and photos.
Media Attachments
Dewey Scott-Wiley, who co-wrote Misery is Optional - Recollections of Recovery, is one of the four performers in the show who play multiple roles, portraying more than 45 characters. The show is the first performance in the inaugural Carolina Series which showcases local artists. Misery is Optional - Recollections of Recovery takes place on Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m., in the University of South Carolina Aiken Etherredge Center for the Visual and Performing Arts. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at: www.usca.edu/etherredge-center or by calling the Etherredge Center at 803-641-3305.
Christine Hellman, who co-wrote Misery is Optional - Recollections of Recovery, is one of the four performers in the show who play multiple roles, portraying more than 45 characters. The show is the first performance in the inaugural Carolina Series which showcases local artists. Misery is Optional - Recollections of Recovery takes place on Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m., in the University of South Carolina Aiken Etherredge Center for the Visual and Performing Arts.
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