Three Generations of Imbeciles

an original play by Rick Hodges

presented by the Barcroft Players

Here is the play page

Notes from the Barcroft Players in Rehearsal

At the time that the play opens in 1938 in rural Virginia, people with ID were not given educational opportunities and were sometimes warehoused in the same poorhouses that housed the elderly and debtors who were without family to take care of them. Many states, including Virginia, allowed forced sterilization. If the play's background environment sounds depressing, the play is actually filled with humanity, hope and humor.

Joining our regular Barcrofters on stage, we are thrilled to have Nancy Mercer, the executive director of the Arc of Northern Virginia - an advocacy group for the rights of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. One of the basic principles of the Arc is that folks with ID can do much more than expected if given education and training. Nancy will continue to put this philosophy in practice by working with two actresses with ID who have roles in this play.

So come see a very uplifting play by a writer who has a very bright future in theater. And, oh yes, this drama is definitely NOT a children's play. It's appropriate for middle schoolers and older. We will get around to doing the children's play that we had to postpone at some point in the future.

Barbara Swart

Here is the flyer with play info

The Sun Gazette had a nice article about the play.

The playwright, Rick Hodges, can be reached at threegenplay@verizon.net

This page was revised on: January 15, 2009.