CINCINNATI — According to the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice, there was a 20% increase in domestic violence worldwide since the pandemic began. One southwest Ohio theater is shedding light on this issue in hopes of helping others.
Bobbie Michelle Bean is the playwright of Through Blind Eyes. She’s been writing plays since she was 8 years old.
“From there, I did a lot of plays for churches and different organizations, schools, churches, musicals,” said Bean.
Through Blind Eyes is a true story about one of Bean’s college friends. Sharing her experience with domestic violence and her journey to recovery.
“What I love most about it is that it’s real because every life story isn’t rainbows and sunshine and kittens and flowers,” she said.
She hopes those that are currently going through domestic violence will be able to seek the help they need.
“I’m hoping people will come out and they will see that this may be you,” she said. “You may have suffered from some of these challenges that our heroine did, but you can still rise from the ashes.”
Bean is getting the set ready for the night rehearsal. She said the scenery is a huge part of the play.
“It’s an area where a lot of reflection and revelation comes into play,” she said. “It’s a space where you have time to think.”
As rehearsals wrap up, she looks forward to sharing her work for the first time with others.
“I finally had the opportunity to sit and watch it because I’m usually engaged and interacting. But I had the opportunity to watch it from the balcony and I was so pleased,” she said.
Opening weekend is Sept. 9 at the Arts Center at Dunham.
