Mental Health Lou Fund presents
Asking Toddlers to do Algebra
A play by Molly Fitz King about the fight for long-term recovery care in Kentucky.
It was performed in July 2024 at the MeX Theater.
Asking Toddlers to do Algebra serves as a platform to elevate awareness, cultivate a sense of community, and foster solidarity among those impacted by addiction. By delving into the lives of both those navigating recovery and the dedicated professionals supporting them, we aspire to unveil the often-unseen realities of addiction treatment centers. In addressing the existing gaps in addiction recovery care in Kentucky, our original production strives to spark conversations, ignite change, and ultimately pave the way for a more comprehensive and compassionate approach to healing.
Images from the very first production taken by Andrew Barkham-Peckat
About the Play: Asking Toddlers to do Albegra
How it Started
The play itself began as practice with a drama therapy intervention as part of professional studies. I was asked to write one scene about a highly stressful memory. Once I started writing, I found that I had more to say and ended up creating the whole play. I found a lot of healing in creating something I cared about out of the corruption and carnage I witnessed during the first several years of my career. All of the stories depicted are fictional. The only exception to this is a few staff members in the play are based on real therapists and advocates in Louisville. It is hoped that audience members will experience some collective grieving related to the people we have all lost to this disease. whether it be in the form of forgiveness, resolution, recommitment, compassion, or a move to activism.
About the Title
The title of the play comes from the belief that expecting people with use disorders to be able to integrate back into their community, family, and workplace immediately after discharge from an inpatient stay of around 28 days is like asking a toddler to do Algebra. It’s simply unrealistic, they are not ready and remain incredibly vulnerable to relapse and suicide.
Looking Forward
The audience members are given the opportunity following the play, to make a commitment to do something, too. The play seeks to educate, raise awareness, and empower audience members to take constructive steps to address addiction and the painful ramifications of its toll.
Through writing the play, I wrote a proposal for Braxton’s Bill that has since been made into a bill.
Find out more about Braxton’s Bill and how you can help.
Thank You!
Thank you to my community for supporting my passion project to make a difference for those recovering from addiction in our community. Whether you supported our fundraisers, or provided encouragement along the way, we couldn’t have done it without the support of so many loving people!
