Written by Tanya Terry, with rehearsal photos courtesy of FIM
Featured photo: Rico Bruce Wade and Connie Cowper
“A Facility For Living” was written by Contemporary Playwright Katie Forgette just over 10 years ago and takes place in a “not so distant, kind of dystopian future where there is no longer any Medicare or Social Security.”
Nicole Samsel, interim artistic director and managing director of Flint Repertory Theatre, explained that in the play there is an act called the Senior Provision Act (SPA) and individuals are personally responsible for their health outcomes. Because of the this, many aging adults who cannot pay their medical bills are housed in federal nursing homes, called SPA facilities.
“It’s essentially like a penitentiary,” said Samsel of the facilities!
Though the scenario may sound very dark, the play is actually a comedy!
“We enter the world of the play along with a new resident,” shared Samsel. “He’s the lead of the show. His name is Joe Taylor, played by a fabulous actor named Rico Bruce Wade. He’s an actor and basically just really inspires the residents of this facility. It’s kind of the idea of: ‘We’re not dead yet!’ To kind of reignite the joy in their life, they start doing play readings. They start writing their own work. Then, it all kind of culminates into them deciding to put on a holiday play for the other residents and also for their families.”
Samsel pointed out that the Flint Repertory Theatre has not done a holiday play since before COVID, in 2019. It’s also exciting and unique to see a cast of primarily older actors, which is uncommon in theatre in general.
Samsel selected the play for the season because she considers it “very timely.”
For example, Kevin, who plays the orderly in the play, gets a thrill out of creating 10-second videos. This reminds Samsel and likely playgoers of the “TikTok era.”
Samsel also pointed out that endings to Medicare or Social Security are not outside of conversations that people are currently having about our world.
“But, it’s still set in the future. So, it’s not necessarily grappling with what we’re going to do right now.”
Demetria Thomas, director for “A Facility For Living” at Flint Rep. and assistant professor of theatre at Grand Valley State University, told the Courier she “loves a good Christmas story.”
This is her first time working with Flint Repertory Theatre, although Thomas has been directing for approximately five years.
“I love that so many of us turn to the arts around Christmas time to help bring joy, and lift our spirits and prepare us for the dark winter to come,” she added. “I love the idea that even people who don’t necessarily have full access to their lives, there is still a life that can be led. These people find love. They find friendship. They find companionship, and they fulfill themselves artistically in this world. I really love that it’s so hopeful!”
Thomas shared that there is an extensive production team for the show who started getting together working on the show in the summer. She said she looked for designers who had their own sense of humor, as well as a sense of drama.
“They are confident professionals I know I can rely on to help me tell the story,” Thomas added.
Thomas described herself as one who loves humor.
“I also really understand that there is a place to share darkness, and in that sharing can be healing.”
Concerning “A Facility For Living” Thomas said she “cannot wait for the Flint community to come and see this show” December 11-21!
For details or tickets, visit https://thefim.org/event/facilityforliving/
