The Red Thread Theatre received a grant to create a piece addressing the opioid crisis entitled “A Conversation with Oxycontin.” Eileen Dugan, theatre artist-in-residence in the English Department, is one of the co-artistic directors of the company, the playwright and will direct the premiere which will take place on Thursday, March 7 at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 9 at 2:00 p.m. at Buffalo library’s downtown branch.
The premise is OxyContin being interviewed on a talk show, defending his reputation and being confronted by the reality of his impact. There are “callers” to the show who bring different stories and points of view.
Aubrey Dempsey ’20 will play the role of Naloxone, one of the medications helping addicts escape addiction. She has performed in a number of shows with the Little Theater and this will be her first professional acting job.
The project is funded in part by the New York State Council on the Arts and the Cullen Foundation. Professionals from the therapy community will be in attendance and all members of the campus community are invited. If you have any questions, contact Eileen Dugan, theatre artist-in-residence, at Ext. 2650 or at dugane@canisius.edu.
Submitted by: Eileen Dugan, theatre artist in residence, English
