To Whom I May Concern is an interactive theater project created with men and women who have recently been diagnosed with a progressive cognitive illness such as Alzheimer's disease.   Stories of living with dementia during the early days and years become the script that is performed by them before an audience of their peers, friends, care- partners, and professionals.  Developed by Maureen Matthews, RN, PhD,  To Whom I May Concern   creates the setting for dialogue between people with dementia and those that accompany them.
Photo by Ron Glassman	SHARING Voices that are lost/silenced through the shame or embarrassment of dementia, become strong and clear when shared with people that understand.  Stories of determination, fear,  anger and frustration are told with humor and love.  These are the words that become the script of each unique performance.
PERFORMING Staging the experiences of persons with dementia focuses attention on the drama of living with the knowledge "...that I have a brain disease that isn't going to get better." (To Whom I May Concern, April, 2006)	Photo by Cat Cutillo
Photo by Cat Cutillo	DIALOGUE With the spotlight on the person with dementia, the audience listens to stories that express the "feeling" side of living with memory loss and confusion.  The honesty of the actors invites understanding, laughter, and, most importantly, conversation.  The space between the stage and the audience shrinks and the applause feels like an embrace.