As a hospice chaplain I am privileged to journey with members of our community as they live and prepare to die. While there are thousands of excellent articles, books and web resources to learn all about the dying process — one of the most challenging issues remains — how do we talk about death with our loved ones and how do we think about our own ending?
A couple of years ago I approached Theater Alaska with a proposal. What if we told stories of living and dying from the community and gave our town a safe container to talk about the issue with family and friends? Theater Alaska, led by Flordelino Langundino, is committed to community storytelling. I loved the idea of a play being performed all over Juneau–and that anyone could come – even if they couldn’t afford a ticket.
Extraordinary playwright Merry Ellefson jumped on board and we started interviewing a wide variety of locals–each story shared with so much raw honesty and integrity. More than thirty people from all walks of life contributed to this play through the interview process. Many more talented souls also left their fingerprints on the project. Over the last twenty months Merry wrote, wrestled with the material, revised endlessly and has created what I believe is a lasting gift of love to this place we call home.
The stories are now intertwined with a soundscape of Southeast Alaska and music that may be familiar or hauntingly new. Under the leadership of director Ryan Conarro, actors and crew are absorbing the experience and giving voice to the stories through movement, compassion and wonder. And yes, there is laughter.
This project has become part of my spiritual journey. The stories gathered helped me when my mother died several months after we started interviewing people. I now feel a deep connection in my prayer life to this community – to those sharing their joys, sorrows, worries, hopes and dreams. We are all connected.
Before rehearsals and readings, I light a candle for all those who have been a part of THESE BIRDS A play inspired by death, flowers and Farkle. Cast and crew members remember those they have lost. We have created a sacred space for the storytelling. For you.
My hope is that conversations around death and dying will continue long after the play ends on February 15th. That you will be encouraged to ‘get your affairs in order’ and take advantage of the resources available here in Juneau. That you may have the courage to initiate a conversation with someone you care about to understand what they are thinking as they journey towards death. That you learn that hospice care in Juneau addresses the physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological needs of the patient. And thanks to Bartlett Home Care and Hospice, we have a team of professionals working around the clock to provide care in your home. The play runs from January 29th-February 15th. For more information about the performance locations and to reserve tickets https://www.theateralaska.org/these-birds.
Claire Richardson is CoCreator and Producer of THESE BIRDS and has been a chaplain with Bartlett Home Care and Hospice in Juneau since 2023. “Living and Growing” is a weekly column written by different authors and submitted by local clergy and spiritual leaders. It appears every Saturday on the Juneau Empire’s Faith page.
