Frozen

written by Bryony Lavery

Opening March 9
Thursday thru Saturday at 8:00PM, Sundays at 7:00pm
Walnut Street Theater – Studio 5

Tickets $25 at isis.ticketleap.com

Frozen Director’s notes

When we experience a large emotional and/or physical trauma, changes occur in both the brain functions and normal hormonal activity. The body and mind can move into a state of restlessness, anxiety and depression, with racing and incoherent thought processes. Parts of the brain shut down, including the section responsible for perceiving the passage of time, and the part that allows for self-reflection. Trauma can also cause people to isolate themselves from the world – to seek safety and protection.

Healing from trauma can take different paths. When we heal from physical trauma, the wound gradually gets better, hurts less, and eventually heals and disappears. With emotional trauma, the wound may last a lifetime and may never heal.

Bryony Lavery’s Frozen explores the pathology of a devastating crime, and its effect on three vastly different people: a serial killer, a mother and a psychologist. Each of them battle inner demons: neuroses, fear, anguish and emotional isolation.

Typical characteristics associated with serial killers may include degrees of mental illness, sensation seeking, a lack of remorse, impulsivity, or the need for control. Many were often abused, either emotionally and physically. Many were bullied or socially isolated as children. Many were involved in petty crimes, such as theft and vandalism. And many come from unstable families. While we may assume that a serial killer will exhibit the most troubling of these, it is interesting to note that some of these characteristics can be found in most all of us.

“How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them” – Benjamin Franklin