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. Addiction affects people from all walks of life, so this performance portrays that reality. Their struggles and ultimate recovery are presented through the lens of spiritual rebirth and restoration.

 

The premiere of ADDICT was 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. After two sold-out nights, over $4,100 in ticket proceeds went to Helping Up Mission’s “Inspiring Hope” campaign, which is an expansion project to build a new center in Baltimore specifically for women and children affected by addiction. The premiere featured 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 is read throughout the performance.