Shine A Light Theater is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit creating story-driven live performances that spark connection and action. Our work tackles two urgent subjects:
1. Suicide Prevention / Intervention
We create performances that open honest conversation, reduce stigma, and remind people they are not alone—paired with community dialogue and pathways to real support.
2. Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s / Dementia
In the final years of Alzheimer’s/dementia, it’s easy to overlook the full life a person lived before the disease. Shine A Light exists to remind audiences that people living with Alzheimer’s/dementia are so much more than their diagnosis—they had (and still have) identity, history, humor, love, and meaning beyond symptoms.
This portion of our theater program combines live storytelling with a one-act play, Call My Son. It’s a way to acknowledge our loved ones living with Alzheimer’s/dementia—and to honor the caregivers who love them.
Call My Son — A Hybrid Storytelling + Theater Experience
Call My Son begins with a 30-minute true story about a son caring for his mother as Alzheimer’s changes their world. Then, in the middle of the evening, we shift into a one-act live scene, with an actress portraying his mother as they act out a real moment from caregiving. The result is intimate, human, and ultimately hopeful—an invitation to see the person, not just the disease.
Dedication
Call My Son is dedicated to Joan Carol Schermerhorn, the mother of Shine A Light Theater co-founder David Ker Schermerhorn. Joan Carol was born on Christmas and passed away on Christmas as a result of Alzheimer’s. During her lifetime, she brought joy and kindness to anyone who encountered her. This piece is a love letter to Joan—and to every person and family living with Alzheimer’s/dementia.
