The Healing Resource Institute for Victim Empowerment
One in six boys are sexually abused by the age of 18. Child development experts and family counselors are clear that child sexual abuse interferes with the developmental stages of children. In addition to victims, families and community members are in need of education, a network of resources, and a safe environment where they can process their questions, emotions, and interpersonal relationships.
THRIVE offers one-on-one telephone support, group support, information, and referrals. This fall, THRIVE is co-producing a one-act play called Groomed at six locations in the northeastern U.S.
THRIVE supports men who have been sexually abused as children so they and their families can build community, heal, and thrive
Groomed—Northeast Tour
This fall the Healing and Resource Institute for Victim Empowerment (THRIVE) is co-producing Patrick Sandford’s award-winning play, Groomed. All six performances are FREE, open to the public (PG-13), and followed by a talk-back with the playwright and co-producer.
October 20: 6:30PM: Siena College, Roger Bacon Hall Auditorium, 515 Loudon Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211
October 22, 7PM, Shelburne Town Hall theater, (Use Library entrance): 5376 Shelburne Rd., Shelburne, VT 05482
October 23, 7PM: Northampton Center For the Arts, 33 Hawley St., Northampton, MA 01060
October 25, 7PM: Bishop Harrison Center, 1342 Lancaster Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210. October 26 features a morning symposium of Hope, Healing, and Solidarity. (See below)
November 1, 7PM: Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC), 301 W Court St., Ithaca, NY 14850
November 2, 7PM: Palace Theatre, 19 Utica St., Hamilton, NY 13346
More about Groomed
How can a Truth be told? How can a Secret be spoken?
A betrayed schoolboy, a Japanese soldier, and the inventor of the saxophone…. Three narratives show how a story can save your life. It’s bold, provocative, theatrical—and not for a moment depressing. Written and performed by UK playwright and male survivor, Patrick Sandford, this one-hour, one-act play is set in an elementary school.
Groomed won three Outstanding Theatre awards at the Brighton Festival Fringe. It was performed at the Vatican in 2023 and for a month at the Soho Theatre, London. At the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023, Groomed was listed in the top 11 productions, and the playwright was a finalist for best male performer in the London Of West End Awards.
About the Playwright
Patrick Sandford has been the artistic director of three British Regional Theatres, and his work has been performed extensively across the United Kingdom and internationally. He holds a First Class Honours degree from St. John's College Oxford (in French), an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Winchester, and an Honorary Fellowship at the University of Southampton. He is a survivor of sexual abuse at the hands of his state primary school teacher in Kent, England.
"I wrote Groomed for one reason only—to tell the truth, so that it might lose some of its power over my life,” explains Patrick. I had no idea it would become an award-winning stage performance, and later a film, watched by many survivors. I am particularly delighted that Groomed seems to speak to many who have no direct experience of sexual abuse; we all have wounds from which we need to recover."
Patrick Sandford, actor and
award-winning playwright
Make checks payable to: THRIVE, c/o The Advocacy Center, P.O. Box 164, Ithaca, NY 14851-0164
Thank you for your donation! It supports our mission of empowering survivors.
Support Groomed
All performances of Groomed are free, but we have many costs:
theater rental, transportation, musicians, printing, lodging, and so forth. Any gifts you wish to make will defray our costs and will help us to bring Groomed to the U.S. again. We thank you.