My name is Jennifer Wakefield. During my late teens and early twenties, I worked as a model in Asia. I was super skinny at that point in my life. I was also anorexic. For me, anorexia was all about control. This is hard to define, now that I’ve sort of outgrown the mindset … but … I honestly thought that if I could stay the same weight … or not even the same weight per se … but if I could just always LOOK the same … … then my life would be perfect. Nothing could touch me.
These days, I know I was suffering from body dysmorphia, a mental health condition where you obsess over your appearance and constantly examine perceived flaws. These days, I also know that, had I been given the proper outlet, I could have converted my condition from one of silent suffering and shame to one where I truly valued myself, as I do today.
For all these reasons and more, I’m spreading the Transformative Plays of Carl Stillitano. It’s really ingenious what Carl does. His plays are an open invitation for whoever reads them—silently or out loud, alone or in groups—to come out of hiding and air out their innermost feelings and thoughts.
Today, Carl’s plays are used by youth groups, parenting groups, therapy organizations, wellness clubs, high school drama societies, and more. They help kids who suffer from a wide array of mental health issues. If I’d only had such an outlet back when I was younger!
The simple act of reading a play and hearing that somebody else once went through almost precisely what you’re going through is tremendously liberating. Doubly so when, once a reading is through, you talk about what you just read in an open discussion with peers and loved ones.
I’ve seen the Transformative Plays by Carl Stillitano work wonders in groups of teenagers and young adults. Which is why I say this: If you or someone you love suffers from anorexia or bulimia, buy the play titled “The Donut Shop” by Carl Stillitano. If you want to up your mental health game overall—and your friends’ and family’s as well—buy the entire Transformative Play collection. Believe me, you won’t regret it.