“What keeps you up at night?” The ACTS (Acting Creates Therapeutic Success) program in conjunction with the ArTs at Bost and The ACHE OT Program put on a fantastic performance of The Black Out on July 19, 2022, at the ACHE Research Institute Health and Wellness Center. The Bost cast (Jenny F., Stephanie K., Katrina, Tennyson M., Dewayne Z., Joseph S., and Najmah. and Emily Autry) created the script, chose set design and props and costumes for the play with help from the ACHE OT students (Kaitlyn B, Mallory B., Stevie B., Trent G. Alair L., Brynn S., and Taylor W.)  Crew included Elizabeth LeQuieu, Donna Ruth, Birdie Knots, and LaDawna Dillman. Dr. Jennifer Moore from the ACHE OT Program and creator of ACTS directed the program.

The Black Out Synopsis: There has been a blackout! The dream machine has broken, and everyone is having nightmares! The Bost actors in conjunction with Arkansas College of Health Education’s Occupational Therapy Students must try to fix the dream machine and restore everyone’s sleep patterns!

 The actors were a true cast of characters! From the sandman to the counting sheep, the Bost actors filled many roles with many playing multiple characters to perfection. Highlights of the performance included Katrina N. as the sandman and shopper, Stephanie K. as Dr. Stephanie and the machine, Joseph S. as the conductor and commercial spokesperson, Jenny F. as lead sheep, Najmah O. as naked Najmah and the newscaster, Dewayne Z. as a monster and construction worker and a special performance by Tennyson M. as the King of Pop-Michael Jackson.

 The hilarious mood of the play was set from the very beginning with the exciting scene Watch Your Step! and continued throughout the performance with the roller coaster scene in Katrina’s Fear of Heights and the hilarious vignettes from Channel Surfing. The amusement continued with Naked Najmah and Breaking News at Walmart. That’s What All the Fuss was About? was a humorous ending to the play. Props and costumes added to the scenes in unique and fun ways and included everything from flashlights to cat food. The costumes were creative, including seven sheep costumes, two sleeping robes and several hats. The set design was minimal to keep the focus on the actors (though they did manage to recreate a rollercoaster on stage.) The music and sound effects added extra excitement to the program including songs such as “Mr. Sandman” by The Chordettes and “Love Rollercoaster” byOhio Players.

The Black Out was an immense success with many cast members indicating enjoyment from participating in the program and many Bost consumers want to continue participation and some consumers who watched the play want to join the next session. The Blackout was played in front of a full house with approximately 100 people attending the show. Numerous audience members expressed their enjoyment of the play and there were enthusiastic responses to a survey enquiring about attendance to future ACTS programs. We hope that everyone had a fantastic time, and we can’t wait to see everyone at the next show!