Synopsis

Grace, a twenty-something with hemiplegic migraines, goes to a support group for people living with chronic pain and illness where she finds she is the youngest person there by more than 30 years. Thinking she’ll have nothing in common with any of the group members, she meets Dennis, a man in his 60’s who starts harassing her about being in the wrong place. What starts off as bickering between two people certain they’ll never understand each other quickly changes when they bond over a shared grief; his from a life he’s lost and hers from a life she’ll never have.

This dark comedy explores the grief experienced, friendships made, and bonds formed at the onset of chronic illness.

Project History

Grace & Dennis was originally written in 2018 by our Co-Founder Ali Hardy as a one act stage play. She originally wrote the play when she saw a request for submissions for plays featuring disabled characters, but missed the deadline after ending up in the hospital with a mini stroke (ironic).

About six months into the COVID-19 Pandemic, Grace & Dennis was adapted into a virtual play, taking place in a Zoom support group. This edition was produced by Reckless Theatrics, along with the short, virtual edition of Fail Risk, May 21, 22, 28, and 29 in 2021.

The following year the script was adapted again, but this time into a short film, which is set to begin filming in late 2023.

Virtual Play

The virtual edition of Grace & Dennis premiered on May 21, 2021.

Dedication

This Play is in memory of Bailey Elizabeth Jones, who died at the young age of 13 after having a series of strokes caused by Hemiplegic Migraines. Below is a note from Bailey’s mom, Shannon.

Bailey Elizabeth Jones was born into this world on January 5th 1991 as healthy as any parent could ever ask for.

By age 13 Bailey was a beautiful, healthy, perfect 13 year old girl. She was in Gifted and Talented. She was full of life and love and determined to be the first female President of the USA!

In May of 2004, she died of a series of sudden strokes ten short days after her first migraine. We stayed at her side as this migraine turned into a nightmare that quickly claimed the life of this young hero.

There were no answers at the time, but February 15, 2013 I was diagnosed with Familial Hemiplegic Migraine. I was able to have Bailey’s case reviewed and finally able to receive an answer for why my perfectly healthy daughter would have a stroke. Bailey’s strokes were caused by Hemiplegic Migraine. While Hemiplegic Migraines are linked genetically, they may lie dormant or in remission for years. Like in my case, Bailey presented with this migraine eight years before I did.

There are too many unanswered questions. Too few treatment options. Not enough information. It’s time to change the face of hemiplegic migraines. No other parent should ever lose their child to this disease or have to watch their child helplessly suffer through it. Advocate, Donate, do whatever you can to help fund more research for this Neurological Disease.