Created by Kendra Henry and Meredith Taylor-Parry
“I didn’t know what to say…”
Talking about grief and loss isn’t easy for most people. Sometimes we are so worried we might upset the person who is grieving that we don’t talk about the loss at all. Grief can be a very isolating experience. What if we knew exactly what to say? Imagine a community that wasn’t afraid to talk about grief and loss. Think of what it would mean to a child who was suffering to be surrounded by peers that have some understanding of the journey of grief.
Why create a play about loss for children?
It is a heartbreaking fact that our children will face many kinds of loss. Divorce, death of a loved one or pet, a friend moving away or a tragedy they see on the news will affect young people whether the adults in their lives try to shield them or not. This play gently opens the topic of loss for discussion so children can be given permission to feel their feelings and begin to understand those who are grieving around them. Kendra and Meredith have lost three parents to the ugly face of cancer and it was through this shared heartbreak that an idea was sparked. If the journey of grief is so difficult and alienating for adults, imagine what it is like for children! Gravy and Moe is abstract and humorous, moving across language and cultural barriers to take the fear out of the subject. Children at different ages and stages will think of different types of loss after seeing this play and will connect it to their own experiences. They will begin to better understand their peers who are grieving a loss and learn that all our feelings are NORMAL.