‘Cut’ audience can talk with therapist

The Laguna Playhouse’s Youth Theatre program, known for decades of well-mounted plays for young audiences based on children’s literature, began expanding its reach in 2001 with a series of serious “issue” dramas for ages 13 and up. Its newest offering for this older audience, “Cut,” playing March 19-21, explores a subject serious enough to warrant post-show discussions with a therapist.

“Cut” was adapted by Youth Theatre Director Joe Lauderdale from Patricia McCormick’s novel, an American Library Assn. “Best Book for Young Adults.” It’s about a troubled young girl who secretly cuts her body to relieve frustration, stress and guilt -- before she finds help and hope.

“Cutting can start at the age of 10 and last until adulthood,” Lauderdale says. “Our goal is about educating and enlightening about the subject. Parents are really the ones who should be seeing it, because kids already understand it.”

Andrew Levander, clinical director of the outpatient self-injury program at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services in L.A. and founder and clinical director of the Healing House in Encino, will provide information and answer questions after the performances.

A therapist who specializes in the treatment and study of self-injury, Levander is concerned about those “who might show up needing support for this. People do need to know that it is a very real problem affecting more and more kids all the time.”

-- Lynne Heffley