'The Storybook People' Addresses Courts And Child Victimization
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
PIERCETON - Many people know a friend, relative or co-worker who has been a victim of abuse, but may not know how to help that person.
A play addressing the victimization of a child and how the court system handles the issue will be performed this month.
The crime drama play, "Storybook Friends," is being performed for public education and awareness for National Victims' Rights Week April 14-19.
The play will be performed at the Old Train Depot in Pierceton, 115 E. Market St., southeast of the railroad tracks off of Ind. 13.
The play is April 17-19 with shows each night at 7 p.m.
The six-member cast received their scripts in February, and have been practicing since March 17 at the Old Train Depot.
The play, written and directed by Bob Ferari, is a community play whose cast members are from Warsaw.
Ferari read case studies and books when he was writing the play on how parents deal with the effects after their child is victimized.
He said the play explains how the justice system deals with victimization cases, and the denial and emotions the families experience.
"The purpose of the week and play is to let people know children who have been victims of abuse have a voice," Ferari said.
The length of the play is 1-1/2 hours with eight scenes, and is told from the perspective of the victim's family.
The story focuses on Annie's 4-year-old daughter, Macy, who was abused by a Storybook Child Care Center employee.
Shannon Parnin plays the character Annie, mother of the victim, and Melody Barker plays Patricia, the defense attorney.
Barker, who said she was sexually molested as a child, said she hopes the play will help people understand how the legal system works in dealing with a child who has been victimized.
Clara Griner, who plays Cassie, the Child Protection Service Worker, is a teacher aid at Leesburg Elementary School.
"I hope, through this play, people learn regardless of income or class, children are victimized every day," Griner said.
Griner's daughter, April, plays Jenny, defense attorney Patricia's beautician.
"My character is ditzy and provides comic relief without detracting from the severity of the issue of a child being victimized," April said.
Elijah Condinho plays Heath, the detective, and Leonelle Condinho plays Gina, Annie's sister.
In real life, the Condinhos are brother and sister.
Elijah, the only male cast member, said this is his first time for doing theater.
"I am excited to play the part of the detective," Elijah said.
Parnin, Clara and Barker performed in last year's play for Domestic Violence Awareness Week, "Man of Her Dreams," also written by Ferari.
Tickets are $7 for adults and students, and senior citizens get in for $5. Tickets can be purchased at The Blue Lion Coffeehouse, Pierceton; The Green Banana, Warsaw; The Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce; or the mayor's office.
Tickets also can be purchased the night of the play at the door.
The proceeds from the play go toward the Kosciusko County Victim Service Center.
