Diabetes: A Family Matter

Toolkit: Plays

A Family History by Nick Sgouros

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Click here to download A Family History script (PDF)

Readers for this performance:

Joe - Jared Benn
Liz - Emily Ryan
Pat - Marcus Rulli
Pete - Marcus Rulli
Mona - Jesse Graham
Lisa - Jesse Graham

Nick Sgouros - Playwright

Nick Sgouros play A Family History moves back and forth to capture the lives of three generations side-by-side as they capture some ideas linked with diabetes during the time when they lived. Nicholas received a B.A. in English from Ball State University, where his play Radicals became the first student written full-length play produced by the Ball State School of Theatre as part of their season. He has interned for Fox Broadcasting in their late night comedy development division where he worked with the writers of their new hit show Talk Show with Spike Feresten. His play School by the Sea was recently workshopped at the Knightsbridge Theatre in Los Angeles and his new play Annika Gold will be read as part of the 2007-2008 Round Table Reading Series at the Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis. He is the 2007 winner of the Ohio University Scott McPherson Award.

A Family History by Nicholas Sgouros moves back and forth over several generations to consider ideas about family history. The play creates windows to consider whether family values, beliefs, and routines are passed on over time. The playwright has woven the idea of sugar through the generations, but ways it appears have both similarities and differences. The play can be viewed online. You may want to have a small group view the play online and then use the discussion guide for discussion.

The SUGAR Plays Discussion Guide

A companion discussion guide to use in a “talk-back session“ after viewing the plays is provided. Whether the plays are read in a small group with just a few participants or if the video is viewed by group members online or if a community theatre activity occurs, having some follow-up discussion can be useful. It is always good to get people’s ideas about what it is they just saw. The SUGAR Plays Discussion Guide will provide some ideas to get people talking about the play and how it related locally to what they view as concerns around diabetes. It will be good if a diabetes educator or other knowledgeable person is available to answer medical questions. However, even if no one is there, the group will likely enjoy just talking about the ideas the plays bring out. Additional instructions for use of the plays are in the guide.

SUGAR Plays Discussion Guide (PDF)