The Wake

The movies we see and the books we read tend to romanticize acts of suicide. Effectively, they desensitize us to the trauma and grief that is involved when a person takes his or her own life. On March 2nd, the University’s Residence Hall Association staged a talent show called “Show for Life” with the goal of raising suicide awareness. It was a chance for U students to show off their various skills, and raise money for an organization called Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (www.save.org).

The acts themselves ranged from funny to sentimental, sometimes hitting on the theme of the show, “No Day but Today,” and sometimes just making people laugh. From the outset, the point of this show was clear. In the lobby of the Coffman Theater hung posters with facts about depression, trauma, and suicide, while the RHA was handing out yellow ribbons for suicide awareness. The proceeds went to a group that helps people cope with depression and preventing suicide. Against a backdrop of comedy and music, the audience was enthusiastic and aware of the evening’s worthy objective. The only other inference to the nature of the show could be found in the program, which listed various websites and a hotline with information on suicide prevention, and a quote from the musical Rent which said, “Forget regret, or life is yours to miss.”

Dancers, singers, pianists, guitarists, rappers, and beatboxers from the University’s residence halls took the stage to showcase their talents. There were eighteen acts in all, and it would be difficult to try and pick a favorite. They showed that University students not only have a wide range of interests, but a considerable amount of talent as well.

As I sat and watched this show, I couldn’t help but remember that a student took his life on this campus not four months ago. The Show for Life, now in its eighteenth year, is just as pertinent as ever, but it didn’t have a solemn or mournful tone to it. On the contrary, it was upbeat. To use a well-worn phase, it celebrated life, and this showed not only in the acts, but in the reactions of the crowd. How many times can you say you’ve seen a theater full of college students clapping in unison as a kid on stage furiously finishes lining up the colors of a rubik’s cube? Honestly, I’d never seen anything like it. It was as though there was an unspoken agreement between members of the audience to be more enthusiastic than they normally would have been.

The Show for Life wasn’t like any other talent show. That’s not to say the talents weren’t what you would expect, but when billed as a show for suicide awareness, things can take on new meanings and connotations. The sentimental acts seemed more worthy of reflection and the lively seemed more worthy of appreciation than they would have in any other setting.

Unfortunately, attendance was lackluster. The theater was about half full, and given the nature of the cause, that was somewhat of a disappointment. Along with the money raised from ticket sales, there were several local businesses that contributed to the show, and to the recipient of the donations, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education.

I can’t say that I left with a better understanding of why suicides happen. Frankly, I didn’t expect to. What I did discover was that there is a way in which people are capable of coming together, putting things aside, and giving serious thought to a troubling issue. I also discovered that this can take place in the midst of humor and entertainment.