The Actual Dance is a dramatic exploration of the emotional and spiritual journey of facing a serious illness with the person you love most in the world. In the spring of 2000, Sam's wife Susan was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. That diagnosis and subsequent treatments took both of them on a roller coaster ride that moved from elation to despair and back again. The Actual Dance is a presentation of that ride from Sam's perspective. Through performance and engagement with audiences, Sam has come to understand that there is a hunger for engagement on this topic. The Actual Dance itself offers a perspective not often found, that of the “partner” of the person confronted with a life-threatening disease. It is also a male voice in the breast cancer journey facing so many people, primarily women. The experience of writing and performing this play has also transformed Sam, who has also begun to write poetry based on the play. Sam Simon is a professional actor and performer, and was nominated for Best Actor in the Northern Virginia Theater Alliance’s One Act Festival. This play has been performed in theaters nationally including in New York City and Washington, D.C. Every performance is followed by a talk-back, a time when the audience gets to verbalize their own feelings and reactions not only to the play but to their own journey and experiences. Take advantage of this unique opportunity filled with information, drama, and humor that is appropriate for adults of all ages. Admission: $5 member / $7.50 non-member