Dylan Good’s “Me, and Van Gogh, and God” will make its debut at 5 p.m. on Thursday.
In this hour long, one-woman play Good will explore the experiences, effects and myths associated with epilepsy. She will act out the lives of three different women all affected by the disorder, both medically and spiritually.
Good was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was eight years old.
“Within the show there are a lot of personal stories that are real,” said Good. “A lot of stories and experiences that I had.”
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder, characterized by unpredictable seizures. Throughout the years, people have tied the disorder to religious possessions and doctors have explored the connection it has with creativity. Good’s show explores some of the connections epilepsy has with these subjects — enhanced artistry and spirituality.
“They told me for a long time that I’d grow out of it,” said Good. “I never did.”
Through this show, Good hopes to connect with others that have been diagnosed with epilepsy and everyone else affected in any way by a disorder or illness.
She originally wrote this piece for a class assignment. In her advanced character development class, Professor Lawrence Ballard assigned his students to write a 10-minute, one-person show, she said. And that piece developed into the thesis project of Good and the co-director, Chelsea Bennington, fourth-year performing arts major.
“I really think it will raise awareness,” said Bennington. “To learn how much of a toll it takes. You can’t live around it. You have to live with it, through it.”
Bennington and Good have been close friends for years and the disorder affected both of them in very different ways. They talk about it openly, but it’s not as common in the public.
“Because there is so much stigma associated, not much people talk about it,” said Good.
“Me, and Van Gogh, and God” will be showing at the Mondanaro Theater in Crites Hall, from Thurs. April 3 to Sat. April 5 at 8 p.m. every night, with an additional showing on April 5 at 3 p.m. This event is free to the public. For more information, go to its event page.
