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STOMP Performers Play for Grady Hospital Patients

September 26th, 2013

Patients and employees at Grady Memorial Hospital got a sample of what the musical production of STOMP is like as they watched cast members perform at the hospital Thursday. The brief musical and theatrical numbers came ahead of Thursday night's opening of STOMP at the Fox Theatre.

A large group of Grady patients and employees circled around a handful STOMP performers as they drummed on everyday items found in the hospital. They played on metal food trays, an ice bucket and a few trash cans. At one point, STOMP performer John Sawicki put down his drumsticks and moved in front of the crowd as he asked them to get involved. Sawicki says the premise behind STOMP is to make music with unconventional instruments.

“We use brooms in the show, car rims, landscaping buckets, everything including the kitchen sink.”

And Sawicki says as STOMP performers tour both nationally and internationally, they often do shows in hospitals, food banks and parks.

“For people that really can’t afford to maybe see the show or are stuck in the hospital we like to spread the love and travel to different places…They can’t have the full on show, but we can give them a taste of it to make them smile.”

One of those with a smile on her face was 71-year-old Grady patient Annella Gillon. She unexpectedly stumbled upon the performance.

“Came to the eye doctor and sat here before going up stairs. That’s the only reason.”

But it’s a performance Gillon says she’ll never forget.

“I liked it. It’s something different that I had never seen before.”

And that’s the reason the performers say they hope everyone who views the show starts to see the music not only in ordinary objects but in everything around them.