BolderLife Theater: “Happy” – For the first time on stage
BolderLife is excited to bring another year of fantastic plays to this year’s multi-media festival!
We have two separate performance days scheduled.
Today we want to introduce the director, the writer and the cast of the play “Happy”.
“Happy”
Logline: Ever wonder what really goes on in the head of a severely handicapped person? Can they hear everything you’re saying?
Playwright: Amy Cuomo
Director: Autumn Mann
Cast: David Oakeley, Jennifer So, and Meghan Wescombe
BolderLife Festival: Amy, how did you find the idea for this play? What is your message?
Amy: I’ve met several wonderful students who have taught me a great deal about perseverance, courage and love. Some of those students have faced the challenges of severe physical disabilities. I dreamt that those students would see a day where they could walk out of the wheel or chair or speak with ease. It took me a long time to realize that my students are perfect as they are. For me, the protagonist of the play is Trisha. She is the character in the most pain, and the character that has the most to learn. Having said that, I’ll leave the play’s meaning for the audience to divine.
BolderLife Festival: What are you doing when you are not writing/directing/acting for BolderLife?
Amy: I’m teaching and directing at the University of West Georgia.
BolderLife Festival: Meghan, Jennifer and David, you are the Actors in this play. Why do you want to be involved in this play?
Meghan: I truly believe people are moved on a deeper level when witnessing live performance instead of film. I love being on stage for the rush it gives me as a performer and also knowing that the audience is experiencing the performance. I also am fascinated by this particular play as it addresses a topic we don’t often consider – the viewpoint of the handicapped.
Jennifer: Theatre is an important aspect of my life. I love it, and I love being involved in projects that truly make an impact. “Happy” is a phenomenal one act. There are so many meanings in such a short amount of time, and it’s exciting to be part of something that is great and that makes an impact.
David: I am lucky to be involved with this play and I am excited to tell Happy’s story! A lot of people regard someone who is disabled as nothing, not smart, and not functional like a “normal” person. It’s important for me to tell Happy’s story because I have friends with disabled family members. My friends treat and love them no different. I wish everyone had this opinion and feelings towards someone who is disabled. I hope this play will give the audience a new perspective in life!
BolderLife Festival: Same question to Autumn, the director. Why do you want to be involved in this play?
Autumn: The play Happy has a great message and addresses a subject that some people often don’t think about. There are so many layers to these characters and its been amazing to explore them and learn about a family dealing with a physical handicap.
BolderLife Festival: Why do you want to be a part of BolderLife? Have you been involved the years before?
Meghan: This is my first year with bolder life ! I am excited to be involved and help support independent and original art.
Jennifer: I want to be part of BolderLife, because I find it so rewarding. It’s wonderful to be part of something that evokes so many emotions and thoughts in people. It’s nice to know that I’m part of something that awakens people to perhaps issues around them, or things that the world is facing. It’s just meaningful, and I seek to do memorable and meaningful things in my life. This is my first year involved with BolderLife Festival, and I sincerely love the experience I am having, and hope to be part of it again. I’m excited to be here!!
David: This is my first year being involved and I’m thrilled about it! I love that diversity is being discussed and celebrated through different mediums and art forms. I hope to learn something myself as I explore all that BolderLife has to offer! I am hoping to continue my involvement in the future!
Amy: I am so grateful for the opportunity for this play to be produced as part of your festival. I believe the message of the play and the vision of BolderLife goes hand in hand.
Autumn: This will be my second year in the Bolder Life Festival. Last year I participated as one of the actors and found that I was able to really challenge myself and become a better actor. This year I am returning as a Director and it has been a wonderful experience so far. I want to be a part of the Bold Life Festival because it feels like family. We might not all know each other very well yet, but our common passion for the arts and spreading a positive message has created a camaraderie that just feels like home.
BolderLife Festival: What do you think about BolderLife’s vision/mission statement?
Meghan: The vision of BolderLife taps into something universal for all humans – the need to explore and express ourselves and the world around us. As an artist, I love that BolderLife seeks to do this through performance! My play in particular manifests the “difficult and courageous conversations, and embraces the beauty of diversity.’
Jennifer: The vision/mission of BolderLife is amazing. It’s inspirational, eye opening, and thought-provoking. I love being part of something that is so inspirational and meaningful.
David: I think it’s great! Not everyone in the world is the same and bringing difficult subjects to light is important to those who feel different. I like exploring diversity and listening to another person’s story.
Amy: I was particularly struck by this statement: “We believe in the power of standing and facing the truth with integrity, no matter how that truth manifests itself in tenderness, love, rage, or despair.” The inclusivity of BolderLife and its commitment to explore the human condition together gives me hope in difficult times.
Autumn: It is such a creative and inspiring way to bring attention to social issues. BLF is a great artistic way to get the word out about problems that we face everyday and to educate the public on how to deal with them. I love that we involve teens and young adults and are trying to creating a better life for them.
BolderLife Festival: What would you say to the world: Why should people come to the festival?
Meghan: Why would anyone NOT want to come?? There is so much diversity in the festival – from dance to theatre to film, and it will also be so fun! The topics presented in the plays specifically will challenge the audience , and I believe everyone should challenge themselves in one way or another every day. Why not do this with a cocktail and a 10 minute play? 
Jennifer: People should come to this festival to be inspired. If you want to see experience something great, I challenge you to join us, and be amazed. Your mind, body, and soul will thank you.
David: I would tell people to come because we as humans never stop learning. No matter how old you are, you will learn something new and get a new perspective on life.
Amy: I think this is going to be a great festival! You have such a fantastic list of plays and films that I don’t think anyone will leave disappointed. Also, I think the festival will provide an opportunity for people who desire to make the world a better place to meet.
Autumn: Come For the Art, Come for the Stories, Come for the Inspiration. Bolder Life Festival might be the change you are looking for in yourself.
“Come For the Art, Come for the Stories, Come for the Inspiration.”
Autumn Mann, Director
BolderLife Festival: Do you live a bolder life? What do you personally think how to live a bolder life?
Meghan: I am trying to live a BolderLife as much as possible – through art of my own and also by witnessing art and performance. I always want to challenge myself and dig deeper into topics that aren’t always easy to talk about! I am so excited to be involved this year!
Jennifer: I believe I do live a bolder life. Personally, life is a mystery, and every day there are hidden miracles and discoveries to be made. I embrace life, and want to inspire others to live life the way I do; open to the world around you. I’m a nurturing and caring person in general, and I’m drawn to BolderLife, because it reflects me as a person.
David: Through my faith in God, I do live a bolder life! Personally, living a bolder life means loving one another regardless of who they are. No matter how upsetting someone is to you, you still care for them and see them as they are.
Amy: To be honest, there are times when getting through the day is my only goal. But when I step back and look at what I do as a teacher, I know that what I want most is to encourage students to reach out to each other, to follow their passions, to tell their truths and to make positive contributions to the world in which they live.
Autumn: I am living a bolder life by staying true to who I am and continuing to follow my dreams. I thrive on diversity and breaking the norm. I like being able to express myself through art and emotion and feeling the reaction that’s coming from others. I hope to inspire people to be free and not be afraid to to take a leap into the unknown.
Thank you all!
For more information about the playwrights, directors and actors, please check them out on our dedicated pages:
Performance Days/Times
The BolderLife plays will each be performed during both of the following dates and times:
Friday December 6th, 2013 @ 6:30pm
Sunday December 8th, 2013 @ 2:30pm
Location: Denver Crossroads Theater – 2590 Washington St, Denver, CO 80205
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