Two humans in St. Elizabeth’s psychiatric hospital in SE Washington DC who deny that their existence is defined solely by the label ‘crazy.’ One Washingtonian family who grapples with what their dear Morgan’s experience in the psych ward means.
Finally…Quiet in my Head tells the story of native Washingontian Morgan and her unlikely friendship with Gerard, the Senegalese man whose humor and kind spirit might have saved Morgan inside the hospital. It explores the struggles Morgan’s family and friends face when coming to terms with Morgan’s mental illness, and the inability for her loved ones and doctors alike to understand what it means for her. This play examines the intersections between mental illness and race, gender-based violence, and socio-economic status, all within the context of the District of Columbia.
The play is also a tribute to madness, family and finding one’s roots: Set in St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, the home of the Walkers’ in DC and the apartment of Tosha in New York City right now. In the hospital an unlikely friendship develops between Morgan and Gerard as they both try to understand how they became ill, and what steps are necessary for their recovery. Little help is given by Morgan’s doctor or her parents, but between her experiences with Gerard and her reconnecting with childhood best-friend, Tosha, Morgan arrives at a much more complete understanding of herself. This honesty allows her to open up to her mother and to willingly accept the ambiguity between her dreams and reality.
This is the US premiere of Finally Quiet In My Head. Performance dates and times are: 5 pm and 9 pm Saturday June 20 and 4pm on Sunday June 21 at the Anacostia Arts Center.
The play was previously produced at the Moser Theatre in Oxford, England, as a Finalist in the Oxford University Dramatic Society New Writing Festival. This production features the acting talent of Muslima Musawwir, Christopher Akinbuwa, Janani Ramachandran, Tuesday Barnes, Steven Langley, and Gwen Lewis.
The show is written and directed by Cristina Bejan (C. A. Bejan) and co-directed by Brittney Sankofa. The play promotes NAMI and aims to bring awareness and encourage compassion surrounding the plight of the mentally ill in the District of Columbia. The play is produced by Bucharest Inside the Beltway and is the second play written by Cristina Bejan to appear in DC. Last summer her play DISTRICTLANDÂ sold-out its extended run in Capital Fringe Festival, was reviewed favorably in the Washington Post, was honored as ‘Best of the Fringe’ and received 5 stars on DCMetroTheaterArts, and is currently being made into a TV series.
To purchase tickets go to Finally Quiet in My Head.
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