Domestic abuse against men is stage production's theme  

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The stage production "Man of the House" focuses on domestic abuse with a man as victim. The play takes the stage July 18 at Parr Center Theater at Central Piedmont Community College.

Domestic abuse isn’t exclusive to one gender.

“Man of the House” is in its 12th year and will stop in Charlotte for a one night only performance July 18 at Central Piedmont Community College’s Parr Center Theater, 1201 Elizabeth Ave. Tickets are available online and range from $47.50 to $87.79.

The play takes a look into domestic violence with a man as victim of emotional and verbal abuse and challenges common perceptions of what domestic violence can look like. Playwright Andre Davis created the production because he felt abuse against men is often overlooked.

“The fact of the matter is, if you can get into someone’s mind and make them feel like they're nothing, you don't ever have to lift your hand at all,” he said. You’ve already done the job because they’re going to self-destruct because they believe now that they are nothing. What you believe, you move it, you manifest it.” 

By bringing this story to the stage, the production has helped men see themselves in the narrative and encourages audiences to view domestic abuse from a different perspective.

“This is our 12th year running the show,” Davis said. “To actually hear men come up to me at the end of the show to say that this was their story, that they were doing everything that they could, but it just seemed like it was going unnoticed.” Davis said.

Davis said traditional expectations of masculinity can make it difficult for some people to recognize men as abuse victims.

“They just didn't see how that would even be possible because men, you're taught to be a man, to be strong, to be the head,” Davis said. “It just didn't seem fathomable for a lot of females.” 

Over the years, “Man of the House” has also been used as part of domestic violence education programs at colleges.

“The response from the students has been great,” Davis said. “It was just eye opening for us as the cast sitting there. That’s when the project was well beyond me just putting on a stage play.”

Davis hopes the play can raise awareness for audiences to recognize the signs of emotional abuse if they or someone they know experiences it.

“The play is still going stronger and getting more legs underneath it,” he said. “It’s just a blessing and a testament to me that as long as I'm continuing to do what God has ordained me to do, it's going to flourish.”

Comments