My Experience in Lisa Loomers Distracted

In Lisa Loomers play Distracted a mother

is struggling with the idea that her son has
ADD and what is the best way to help him.
Throughout the play Mama and Dads
relationship becomes rocky. Mama and Dad
both have their views on medicating their son
Jesse. Dad, a loving father but is in denial
about his sons diagnosis loathes the idea of
medicating his son and thinks he is only acting
this way because hes just being a boy.
Mama a caring mother who just wants the best
for her son gives in to society medicating her
son even though her husband hates the idea
and thinking its the best way to deal with her
sons diagnosis. Also Jesse, a hyper but
hilarious nine-year old boy feels judged by his
teacher Mrs. Holly (a haughty but straightahead women), his parents, and society that is
telling him ADD is a bad thing. This relatable
and sentimental play has its moments of satire
and hilarity. In this play Loomer asks the
question of What is a normal child? and Who
is really lacking to pay attention; the son with
ADD, his parents who medicate him, or
society?
My high school theatre department
performed this play for the METG Festival (The
Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild).

METG is a play festival where high schools in

the state of Massachusetts perform a 40minute version of a play, my high school chose
Distracted as their fest show. I as well had the
privilege to be in the show playing Dr. Waller,
the neurophysiologists and a spin-off character
named Drita, which is originally the inner voice
character of Dr. Karnes. Being in this play was
such an amazing experience and was so close
to home. Being able to play adults by an allteen cast definitely has it challenges but was
able to help us see the point of views of what
adults go through and how its hard to make
decisions that will affect the people around
them, especially what they think is best for
their families. In this play we were able to tell
the audience that giving attention is the most
important thing in a childs life and medicating
doesnt fix all-your problems.