Distracted

Two actors perform on stage in front of screen showing news clip of Donald Trump

Two actors sit facing another actor on stage

Two actors face each other on stage, one pointing a finger at the other

Two actors stand facing each other on stage, one with hands on their hips

An actor stand on stage, holding up a finger

An actor mimics driving a car in front of a screen showing a street

Distracted

by Lisa Loomer
directed by Jack Reuler, Artistic Director of Mixed Blood Theatre

December 7-9 and 13-15, 2018
All performances at Mixed Blood Theatre, 1501 S 4th St, Minneapolis

Post-show talkback Thursday December 13, led by Macalester students and Joan Ostrove, Professor in the Department of Psychology.

In the comedy Distracted, the mother of a moody, foul-mouthed, easily distracted nine-year-old boy seeks relief from her son’s tirades. When her son is diagnosed with ADHD, she visits a number of specialists and gathers opinions from neighbors, teachers, and her spouse, with the hope of gaining a better understanding of her son’s diagnosis. Her search leads to several questions that are controversial in the medical community and academia: do genetics, living in a world of sensory overload, vaccinations, diet, and the environment contribute to one’s likelihood of having ADHD? Do the powerful drugs often prescribed for treatment have a ripple effect, causing as many issues as they solve? Why is ADHD is disproportionately diagnosed in communities of color?

Recommended for ages 13+. Play contains adult language and explicit description of self-harm.

Running time: 2 hours, including intermission.