Theatre for Health & Wellness Education

Testimonials

The Thin Line is one of the most accurate examinations of the experience of eating disorders. It shows the insidious hold eating disorders develop on an otherwise rational, resourceful, reliable person; how it destroys self-confidence, judgment, and relationships; how they affect the families and friends; how they defy logic and destroy the spirit. This play serves to both prevent eating disorders and to provide insight and hope to those who suffer from them. It will be a valuable tool in our attempts to defeat the “body wars” that plague girls and women in our culture.”
—Dr. Margo Maine, Hartford, CT, author of The Body Wars.

“Three days after the performance here, the Counseling Center had already been contacted regarding four new clients with eating disorders. Such a response [is] the true test of The Thin Line’s impact.
Lisa Rismiller, University of Dayton

“The play was a reflection of my life. Mere minutes into the performance, tears were streaming down my face. My struggle was there for all to see—I was not alone, and someone was putting words to what I could not. The Thin Line is the most accurate portrayal I have seen, heard, or read. This play helped my loved ones to understand and showed my parents a little of what was going on in my head. This play captured my emotions, my thoughts, and my struggles.”
—KV, recovering anorexic

The Thin Line is an accurate and powerful tool for eating disorders education. It touches the viewer with an amazing combination of information and emotion, and poignantly illustrates the devastating experiences of an eating disorder sufferer.”
Holly Hoff, former program director, National Eating Disorders Association

“The Thin Line captures the contradictory psychology of eating disorders and the frustration, fear, and confusion they evoke in others who want a simple way to make things better. The play addresses beautifully the way girls speak through their bodies—in symbolic and emotionally complicated ways—the things they cannot say or even know consciously. It will blow people away.”
Dr. Lyn Mikel Brown, Colby College

“The play is so real. I’ve been struggling with an eating disorder, and while the ‘real life drama’ is much more intense, I am Ellen. I have Ellen’s negative voice. This play really helped me see my friends’ perspective.”
Anonymous

“This timely program was magnetic, relevant and moving. It spoke directly to our audience in ways that no amount of didactic teaching could and gave our students a compelling view into the thinking process of a young woman struggling with anorexia, as well as insight into the devastating effects it was having on significant others in her life.”
Leslie Stein, Belfast Area High School’s Sophomore Awareness Program

“The characterizations of the individuals and the behaviors exhibited were truly authentic. Following the performance, a lengthy discussion provided an opportunity to share insights, ask questions, and identify resources. I would highly recommend The Thin Line to other college audiences and to anyone who is interested in learning more about eating disorders.”
Cindy Visbaras, Health Educator, Bates College

The Thin Line is powerful and speaks to everyone: to those with the condition and to those who stand by feeling so helpless. I can recommend it wholeheartedly as a way to look at and begin addressing the concern of disordered eating among middle and high school girls.”
Mary Orear, Executive Director, Mainely Girls

“This was one of the most powerful convocations that Centre has offered in a long time… It dared to wrestle with a topic that few will even look in the face.”
Cento, Centre College’s campus newspaper, Danville, KY

The Thin Line program requirement that local resource people be present, identified, and included in the post-discussion ensures that your play serves as a catalyst for action that persists beyond the event itself. It provides an opportunity to raise the issue and discuss it in a way that strengthens the connections among those local organizations and people confronted with this challenge.”
Sharon Barker, Women’s Resource Center, University of Maine

© Copyright 2012 Add Verb Productions. All Rights Reserved.
716 Stevens Avenue • Portland, Maine 04103 • (207) 221-4491 • mailto:chall4@une.edu