I received a letter from Markus recently and this was how the letter began, with a response from one of his audience members:
“Dear Maureen,
I’ve literally just walked out of the theatre play in which you appear with your letters. Some of your letters were read and we also got to see some of your beautiful artwork I got to know you a little bit through the play. I really appreciated that the crew displayed you the way they got to know you through the letters, without unnecessarily highlighting the situation that you are in and without hiding it either. There was also quite a bit of humor in the play and all in all it was delivered with “lightness” even though the content was taken very seriously. To me the play shows once more that no matter how different the background and life situations are that people live in, there is still a way in which we can relate to each other and that is because we are all human, for better and for worse. Thank you very much for participating in this project, it was valuable for me to be there as a spectator and I will definitely recommend the play to my family and friends. Best wishes, Sandra”
When Markus first brought up the idea of the play, I privately thought that he was razzing me a bit. I mean, who would want to watch a play about me? And so many people tell me that they’re going to do things but very few actually follow through. So when we would exchange letters planning the different acts and discussing different aspects, I thought we were just having interesting conversations. Needless to say, I was wrong and he definitely followed through with making a play.
I had also discussed this with Justin, who lives in the U.K. and might have been able to travel to see the show, but wasn’t. However, he did go on the internet and find photos the troupe had posted on their website of the play. When I received the photos from Justin I had to sit down. I could see my own handwriting projected onto a large screen and Markus standing on the stage holding a drawing I’d sent him. It was amazing.
I’m guessing that they are still performing the play since this audience response was enclosed in a recent letter. It is refreshing to feel connected to audience members I have never met or seen and know that they are interested in my life. It used to feel a little intimidating, if I am honest. I have never seen the play so what will people really think after “getting to know me”? I am not interested in being a celebrity or the status that comes with noteriety. But once I got used to the idea, I let go of my insecurities and trusted in Markus and his troupe to portray me in a favorable light. So now I am able to appreciate and enjoy the responses from Markus’s audiences. I can relish the connection to other people, despite still being confined. It has given me a huge feeling of freedom, despite my state of incarceration. For that I am grateful.
