Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherry Jo Ward.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sherry Jo. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have been an actor and theatre administrator in DFW since 2011. I’m a mom of two boys and proudly married to actor Thomas Ward. In 2015, after dealing with months of odd muscular symptoms, I quickly lost my mobility from a super-rare neuromuscular disease called Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) and my acting career suddenly took a hit.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road is bumpy for most of us, I think. SPS is an obstacle that has really slowed me down and stopped me from auditioning, which was heartbreaking. I’ve been able to do a few productions since my diagnosis with the help of patient directors and some scenic accommodations. Still, I soon became officially disabled and was feeling like I was going to have to retire from theatre at age 42. I wasn’t quite ready for that. I can’t drive, so it became difficult to even go see productions, so I was starting to feel disconnected from the DFW theatre community.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the STIFF with Risk Theater Initiative story. Tell us more about the business.
I decided to write about my experience and make a play that I could do from a comfortable chair. I gave the script to two friends that I admire and trust – Jessica Cavanagh and Marianne Galloway. Jess helped me craft the fifty pages that I had written into a fifteen page, hour-long show, STIFF. Marianne directed the play, produced by her company Risk Theater Initiative. It was first produced in 2017 at the Festival for Indepent Theatres in Dallas and was received with accolades beyond what I ever imagined.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Ha! Well, I don’t know if you call this bad luck, but SPS literally strikes one in one million people. There are around 300 people in the U.S. with the disease. We have taken STIFF on the road and have been fortunate to meet several SPS patients in every city we’ve been to. It resonates in a unique way with these folks as well as those with “invisible” diseases. It’s been a gift to give voice to their suffering. The post-show discussions often last longer than the show as the audience responds, asks questions and often share their stories.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 2542979881
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: /sherryandthomas
- Twitter: sherryjo2000
Image Credit:
Production photos from STIFF by Mark Oristano
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
