ADDICT
By Madeline Maxine Gorman
March 12 & 13

72,306. That is the number of people who died from an overdose in 2017 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Drug overdose deaths have surpassed those from car accidents or firearms, making it the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. On March 1, 2017, the State of Maryland declared the overdose epidemic a state of emergency. Baltimore is no exception to this epidemic. In fact, the city has the highest per capita heroin addiction rate in the country (The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency).

ADDICT is a collaborative dance performance about the representation of addicts in American mass media and how that impacts our world. The work seeks to address issues of harmful stereotypes, societal assumptions, and negative effects that contribute to peoples’ struggles with addiction.

ADDICT has seven dancers who each portray different experiences with addiction, ranging from an inner-city man’s history with cocaine, a young mother’s abuse of prescription drugs post-pregnancy, and a student whose parents struggle with opioid use. Addiction affects people from all walks of life, so this performance will portray that reality. Their struggles and ultimate recovery will be presented through the lens of spiritual rebirth and restoration.

ADDICT also features live string quartet music by Two Rivers Chamber Music, as well as original piano and voice compositions by Melissa T. Music. In addition, poetry written by people in an addiction recovery program will be read by members of TU Voices, a student poetry organization at Towson University.

This performance is in partnership with Helping Up Mission, a Baltimore City non-profit that provides resources to people experiencing homelessness, poverty, or addiction by meeting their physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs. All ticket proceeds will benefit Helping Up Mission’s “Inspiring Hope” campaign, which is an expansion project to build a new center specifically for women and children.

Showtimes:
March 12 @ 8pm
March 13 @ 8pm

Tickets:
5 Meal – $10.25
Provides 5 meals and care for women and children experiencing homelessness

10 Meal – $20.50
Provides 10 meals and care for women and children experiencing homelessness

1 Day of Recovery – $48.00
Provides 1 Day of Recovery for women experiencing addiction

2 Days of Recovery – $96.00
Provides 2 Days of Recovery for women experiencing addiction