Theater department presents ‘Cancer Poetry Project’

When Lois Rooney of Prairie Village learned she had lung cancer, she was very scared of the disease.

She said she was terrified to undergo chemotherapy, but as she underwent treatment, she found moments of deep thankfulness for the time she had with her family and friends.

She said she experienced frustrations, fears, laughs and moments of hope, and it always helped to know there were “other people in the same boat.”

Members of the Shawnee Mission South Theatre Department have worked to explore those wide ranges of emotion.

Their work, “The Cancer Poetry Project,” included the study and performance of poems written by cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and family members.

Several performances of their work served in part as a fundraiser for organizations that support cancer awareness, patients and research.

Everyone probably has their own idea about what it means to have cancer, but this project can introduce people to other feelings and emotions that come with it, said senior Samantha Morrow.

“With this show you get to explore all different sides of it so you end up going away from it not being down about it all the time,” Samantha said. “When you meet an ex-cancer patient maybe you aren’t going to treat them like a potato – like they can’t do anything. You know how to deal with it because you understand better.”

All of the poems came from a book instructor Catherine Wood found called “The Cancer Poetry Project,” edited by Karin B. Miller. The book contains more than 140 poems about experiencing cancer.

When Wood asked Miller for permission to perform the poems, she said “yes,” but Wood also had to contact every poet to ask permission.

Because of legal reasons, Miller could not give Wood any of the poets’ contact information. Wood started a search this spring.

“I chose 50 thinking I won’t be able to get all the poets,” Wood said. “I set about literally Googling people, some were very accomplished poets so they were easy to find. Some this was the first poem they had ever written.”

They come from across the United States and even a woman who spends most of the year living in Israel.

Wood reached nearly every single poet and obtained permission. The final poet she needed to hear from granted her permission just before Thanksgiving.

“I was overwhelmed with trying to track them down but I was more overwhelmed by how excited they were about the project,” Wood said. “Several poets or their family members are coming to the show.”

The students have performed their work for patients and survivors and have talked to them about their experiences.

One of the survivors they met with is Tina Holder, Overland Park, who said reading the poems will mean so much more to the students because they have met survivors and performed for them.

“I found myself just nodding my head because it brings back all the emotions; you are so shocked you have cancer. How could this be?” Holder said. “I am very impressed with the maturity and the compassion that these kids showed all of us, and the respect and the kindness.”

Senior Cassandra Kenny said she has felt the need in the past to be “gentle and awkward” with people who have cancer. The survivors helped her gain a new perspective.

“(This) helped me realize it affects everyone, the awkward side and the happy side and the obnoxiously depressing side,” Cassandra said. “To be with them one on one and face to face helps you portray it the correct way instead of the way everyone thinks it should be.”

Students have worked hard on this show, spending more time paying attention in rehearsal than usual, senior Rob Williams said.

“There is this level of concentration,” Rob said. “Maybe it is because some of the poets are … coming to the show. I think it is one of those things where we want to get it right and do all we can for them.”

Shawnee Mission Repertory Theatre The Cancer Poetry Project on Wednesday, Dec. 2, and Thursday, Dec. 3, in the Shawnee Mission South auditorium, 5800 W. 107th St., Overland Park.

Attendees could earmark the funds from their purchased tickets to the organization they choose. All non-earmarked funds will go to Camp Bluebird at Shawnee Mission Medical Center’s Oncology Unit.

Other organizations that will benefit are: The Susan B. Komen Foundation, American Cancer Society, R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Mid-America Chapter and Turning Point.

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