Assistant Professor Erica Murphy shares the joy and power of imagination with patients at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Created by Department of Drama faculty members, a performance that turns hospital objects into tools for fantastical adventures is headed from a children’s hospital bedside to one of the world’s biggest theater festivals.
Performed by Katherine McGerr, associate professor of acting, and Erica Murphy, assistant professor of acting, and designed by Carmen Martinez, assistant professor of theater design and technology, “Places I Go from My Bed” is going to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, held Aug. 7-31.
The project holds special meaning for McGerr. Treated for a neurological tumor as a child, McGerr remembers being unable to leave the hospital bed, a “frustrating and painful” experience.
“I have, for a long time, wanted to be able to make a piece that would serve those kids,” McGerr says. “Erica was the first person I thought of because of her movement and physical theater expertise.”
The faculty members received a $5,000 Faculty Creative Activities and Research (FCAR) Grant from Syracuse University for the project.
Shadow play is used throughout the show to send viewers to worlds like outer space.
Wheeling around a puppet and medical props, McGerr and Murphy recently brought “Places I Go from My Bed” to patients at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. The performance emphasizes the power of imagination, transporting each child to a world filled with strange and wonderful creatures.
Based on the audience’s reaction, they adjust the performance, taking more time on certain “worlds” like deep-sea or outer space. The setup can also be adjusted to suit the size of the patient’s room.
“Each performance is on the fly figuring out how we can set ourselves up so that we’re in the best spot for our audience member,” says Murphy.
In late June, McGerr and Murphy traveled to Portland, Maine, for a test run of the performance in a larger setting at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine.
“It’s been interesting to play with scale in terms of this piece,” Murphy says. “Getting to play with that at the fringe festival will be exciting as well. We’re in an intimate theater space, which is what we want for this show.”
A 30-minute performance with 10 minutes of hands-on shadow exploration, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe show will be held at The Space @ Niddry Street Studio. Tickets are available online, with shows running Aug. 10-15.
The festival isn’t the end of the line for “Places I Go from My Bed.” The faculty members hope to bring the performance to local theaters.
The project’s original mission also hasn’t been lost. They will continue to share the power of imagination and theatrical entertainment with those who need it, reaching out to other hospitals in the area as potential collaborators.
“The primary goal is to serve young audiences who have limited mobility, so that we can come to them,” McGerr says.