By Sandee DePriest, appearing as Martha Brewster in ARSENIC & OLD LACE

Hello, SLT peeps and players!

It has been a minute since I trod the boards here—more than 12 years, actually. I am delighted to be back among old friends and new, playing Martha Brewster in ARSENIC & OLD LACE. This theatre has been a second home to me ever since I moved to Springfield in 1992.

There is a reason for the lengthy break between appearances. I began losing my hearing in 2010, but by 2014, the loss had become so profound that I knew I could no longer do musical theatre—my first love. So, I took a couple of steps back for a while.

I have been watching from the wings as my “three boys” took wing and flew: my talented husband, David, and my two sons, Brendan and Eli. When a door closes, I have experienced the reality that God opens other doors and windows. I have tapped into dormant skills and discovered abilities I did not know I possessed, and it has been a beautiful journey.

And now—now God has dropped this lovely gift of ARSENIC & OLD LACE into my lap.

I’m baaaa-ack.

As the directors, cast, crew, and I navigate the challenges of a hard-of-hearing actor catching cues, reacting to doorbells, and absorbing stage-direction notes, I thought it might be helpful—perhaps even entertaining—for you, the audience, to follow the journey.

Believe me, there are plenty of funny stories—and some sobering ones, too.

In the coming weeks, I will share some of those stories and the creative ways we are solving problems together. This has already been a period of growth, humility, and victory.

Maybe there is something holding you back from participating fully in life—a fear, a disability, or simply the unknown. I hope you will join me on this journey as we embrace the people, tools, and opportunities that are there to support us.

Personally, I stand firmly on Philippians 4:13. And I have great company in this cast and crew.

I am learning that you can do more than you think you can.

And it takes a village.