Tucson theater group promotes organ donation

Muncrief is an organ donor, something she chose to be after the death of her 12-year-old brother, Bradley. His organs were donated, she said, and seven people benefited.

"One of them was a little boy who was blind," said Muncrief, 21. "Because of Bradley's donation, the boy was able to see again."

Waypoint Theatre Company's performances of Mark St. Germain's 75-minute screenplay began Nov. 5 at Atria Bell Court Gardens. There will be 11 performances.

The entire play takes place in the board room of St. Patrick's Hospital in New York City. The cast includes medical professionals, a social service provider and an attorney who became a priest. This group must decide quickly who should be the next heart transplant recipient.

Waypoint began 11 years ago as an offshoot of a theater ministry at Catalina Foothills Church. Director Melanie David said her passion is "creating quality, thought-provoking productions." She wants to raise awareness for topics such as organ donation, domestic violence, and children's literacy.

"My parents demonstrated the importance of living their faith and giving back to the community, which I have tried to model in my own life," said David, 53.

She said memories of her father's playing the "Angel of the Lord" on stage at the University Baptist Church in Maryland "ultimately influenced my desire to combine my faith with my love of theater."

They are seeking a business to sponsor the organization so they can take their audience-participatory piece, "Bartholomew's Reading Adventure," to schools throughout southern Arizona, David said.

Wayne McKinley has been with Waypoint for nine years. The plays don't always have a religious context, he said. In recent years, they did a radio adaptation of "It's a Wonderful Life."

"I really enjoying playing the odd ducks, but this time I'm kind of the straight guy," said McKinley, 64. "It's kind of fun to get outside of yourself and play somebody different."

For this production, Waypoint is partnering with the Donor Network of Arizona.

More than 104,000 people await organ transplants nationwide, Kris Patterson of Donor Network said. In Arizona, there are more than 1,900, she said. Over 75 percent of those waiting need a kidney transplant, she said.

Most people support organ donation, she said, but many don't know how to sign up. In Arizona, organ donors sign up at the Motor Vehicle Division.

Donor registration cards and other information will be available for everyone who attends, David said. After each performance, volunteers and staff of the Donor Network will lead a talk with the audience.