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Event
Love Letters - A True-Ly Short Epistolary Romance - in-person screening
Two autistic nonspeakers fall in love via email, only to struggle with sensory realities when they meet in person. Love Letters: A True-Ly Short Epistolary Romance is a universal story of first love--found and lost--and of expectations not matching reality.
Love Letters may be the first professionally-produced play written by an autistic nonspeaker. Its author, Seattle playwright and award-winning poet Sofia Ghassaei, has difficulty controlling her speech and body movements due to apraxia, and had no reliable means of communication until age 13, when she learned to share her thoughts through a method called Spelling to Communicate. At age 19, Ghassaei wrote the one-act script, which is fictional but inspired by her life experience, by painstakingly pointing to letters on a letterboard, one letter at a time. Theater of Possibility produced the play, augmented with songs by other autistic nonspeakers from across the USA and Canada, in June 2023, to sold out houses at Seattle's University Heights Center. Now those who missed the production will have a chance to see this acclaimed production on screen in an expertly captured, edited video of the live production.
"More than any other show I've seen this year - this production reminded me of the magic theater possesses to how us the possibility we all have if given a chance." wrote Kathy Hsieh, audience member and theater artist.
"Such a creative, smart, funny, profound, beautiful play. The performances were remarkable. The music, simply perfect -- an outstanding production!!!," wrote Karen Z, audience member.
" I would see it again in a heartbeat," spelled audience member Stephen S, who is autistic. "I noticed how so many people saw me," spelled Sam R, another nonspeaker.
Love Letters features Juliette Jones, Drew David Combs, Nathaniel Lee, Cammi Smith and Mathew Reyes. It is directed by Lauren Goldman Marshall, with music direction by Ian Williams. Videography is by Ben Kerns.
Running time: 68 minutes
This one time, in-person screening of the film will be followed by an informal reception with members of the artistic team. This is currently the only scheduled theatrical screening.
Note: Online veiwing is also available, starting with a watch party on September 10, 3 PM PT on YouTube @theaterofpossibility. Go to: Tinyurl.com/LoveLettersWatchParty.
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LocationSeattle Film Institute (View)
3210 16th Avenue West
Seattle, WA 98119
United States
Categories
| Minimum Age: 10 |
| Dog Friendly: No |
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Contact
Accessibility
The screening is in the Hitchcock Theater on the second floor of SFI. Unfortunately, there is no elevator. For free online viewing, starting September 10, please go to YouTube @theaterof possibiliy or tinyurl.com/LoveLettersWatchParty
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