...a solo performance piece at Seaside REP Theatre on Friday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.

 

“This short, thought provoking performance piece is followed by a documentary and talk back. Anyone who has been touched by cancer can expect to be moved and inspired with hope.”

 

The play is based on the life, work and writings of Andy Martin, a medical student and oncology patient at Tulane University, who conducted groundbreaking research on sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC), an extremely rare form of cancer that eventually took his life. Under the supervision of Dr. Tyler Curiel, Andy was able to grow his own cancer cells in the lab and establish a permanent cell line to allow important research to continue.

 

The majority of the performance text is taken directly from Andy’s unpublished, private journals (with permission from the Martin family).

 

The performance, which was first seen at The Ohio State University and The Creative Center in New York City, is directed by ECTC producing artistic director Nathanael Fisher and stars Jason Hedden, a local actor, director and professor based on the Emerald Coast. Hedden holds theatre degrees from Gulf Coast State College, the University of South Florida and an MFA in Acting/New Works from The Ohio State University.

 

This collaborative community project will benefit Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast’s Arts in Medicine program, which is designed to bring performing, meditative and the visual arts into the hospital setting as a form of healing therapy for patients. This is accomplished through workshops for staff, artistic activities at the bedside, and musical performances in outpatient clinical areas and waiting rooms.