One Night On Stage Opened E To Acting, Adoption

Mon., Feb. 1, 1999

Erin Johnson Lewis & Clark

I have been working on a play at the Spokane Civic Theatre, called “Emma’s Child.”

It’s a play about adoption and the way it can change the lives of not only the biological mother, but also the adopting family.

I came upon the play by chance. I was looking for something to keep me busy this winter and happened to read the advertisement for auditions in the paper. I went just for fun, to see what the process was like. Much to my surprise, I was given the part of a nurse’s aide.

Being adopted and becoming more and more interested in the process and the effect on the people involved, I was hoping for a part as one of the biological mothers.

However, looking at what I have been able to observe from the position of the nurse’s aide, I am thankful I wasn’t given another character because I am able to look objectively upon situations and see things that I wouldn’t see if I was directly involved.

When I went through the plot with my parents, they were struck by the similarities to their experience while adopting me. My parents had never told me a lot of the details that I found myself hearing.

“Emma’s Child” opened Jan. 22 with a sold-out house. That night was the most nerve-wracking night of my life; but once I got out on stage, I was completely involved in telling the story.

The crowd was so involved in the events of the production that you could have dropped a pin on the floor and heard it echo throughout the studio. It didn’t even phase me that I had 84 sets of eyes watching my every move when I was on stage.

I felt like I made a real difference in that audience’s life experiences by being a part of this play.

More importantly, this play has given me an opportunity to ask and to gain a better understanding about adoption and those whose lives are forever changed by it.

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