Weekend Showcase: Stages Theatre Presents “Fish in a Tree”
Imagine you could see, but that letters, words and numbers didn’t make sense. Or you had to read the same passage over and over again. Dyslexia is the subject of the latest performance at Stages Theatre called “Fish in a Tree.”
“Like the play says, it’s like the letters on the page move, or you might see pieces of the letters,” described Alison Mitchell, who plays Ally, the girl with dyslexia in the play.
While “Fish in a Tree” deals with dyslexia, it also explores the broader concepts of acceptance and encouragement.
Mitchell said, “It’s a play about Ally, who I play. A girl with dyslexia and so she’s always kind of hid the fact that she has dyslexia. Covered it up by getting in trouble. And so she has a new teacher, named Mr. Daniels. And he kind of sees that maybe there’s something that isn’t quite right. Or the pieces don’t add up and he thinks that she has dyslexia.”
Judging Fish by How Well They Climb Trees
“Fish in a Tree” is based on the children’s book of the same name and drives home the idea that everybody is smart in different ways.
Jack Sullivan, who plays Travis, Ally’s big brother said, “Basically the whole show focuses in on Ally’s brain, whats going on in her mind. Like all the mind movies really show what she’s thinking. So this whole show is focused in on her.”
It’s Okay to be Different
Sixth grader Ally’s surreal fantastical moments happen without notice, but are easily identifiable and give a nice artistic impression of what is going on in Ally’s head.
“It’s just about her overcoming stuff at school, stuff at home, and also on top of this, this dyslexia thing. And I think its a really cool show because, I think it shows kids and parents alike that, you know, its okay to be different,” said Mitchell.
The show is an hour and a half long and is good for kids ages 7 and up who can sit still that long. “Fish in a Tree” runs now through Oct. 28 at Stages Theatre Company in Hopkins.
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