Clutha District Council (CDC) Youth Council is excited to bring the unique multidiscipline solo show
Awakening from Dark to Light to Milton’s Coronation Hall, at 7pm on Saturday, March 4.
Through a powerful combination of music, storytelling, drama and humour, artist Hunter Wilson, also known as King Cass, navigates his audience through his own personal journey of living with ADHD, overcoming drug-induced psychosis and the role of music, art and human connection in saving his life.
‘‘Covering up pain and hiding emotion won’t work,’’ the 36-year-old father, of Christchurch, said.
‘‘If you face it, own it and let others help, you better understand it and you can find your way out.’’
His messages are aimed at anyone in need of encouragement in facing some of life’s toughest challenges, including bullying, mental illness and suicide.
His experience around those topics is first hand, and his multimedia show channels the energy of raw emotion to seize hope and inspire the strength to emerge from a journey of darkness.
The upheaval behind him and armed with his memories, he now holds qualifications in youth development and social and community wellbeing.
‘‘It’s been a two-and-a-half-year journey to bring King Cass to Clutha,’’ CDC community development adviser Jean Proctor said.
‘‘He was recommended to us. We did our research and felt his experience and presentation was absolutely relevant to issues we’re facing here.’’
CDC youth council representative Lilly Paterson worked in a leading role to bring King Cass to Milton.
‘‘[King Cass] shows the bravery of being vulnerable. I think that builds an emotional connection with others that gets people to open up and give these serious issues the kind of consideration they deserve,’’ she said.
Awakening from Dark to Light is a ticketed, but free event.
Details are available online.
