Byline: DANIELLE FURFARO Staff Writer
ALBANY - When asked what she does when she wakes up, Harriet Comfort launches into a litany of tasks she performs every morning.
'The first thing I do is check my alarm clock to make sure the time is right, then I wash my hands, then I check my alarm clock again, so I have to wash my hands again,' said Comfort. 'Then I dip my toothbrush in alcohol to make sure there are no germs on it.'
Comfort does not really suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder, but for the moment, she has taken on the role of someone who does.
In the past 25 years, as the director of the Mental Health Players, Comfort has acted out a number of mental illnesses, from psychosis to bipolar disorder to drug addiction.
The Mental Health Players is a group of actors who do outreach programs to educate the public about various types of mental illness.
'We replicate experiences that a lot of people have when they have mental illnesses,' said Comfort.
The Mental Health Players prepare for performances by studying specific illnesses and then role-playing, as if someone with the affliction were interacting with a family member or co-worker. 'I've played someone with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression,' said Gail Tolley, a Mental Health Player who found out about group while working with the state Department of Correctional Services, where the players would perform for officers.
Tolley said she enjoyed knowing that her acting will help a vulnerable population.
'I like that you can make the position of someone now looked on with disfavor more clear,' said Tolley, 63. 'If they do make mistakes with a mentally ill person because of a lack of knowledge, you can open their eyes and things will go better.'
The majority of the Mental Health Players do not suffer from mental illness, although there are some who are afflicted with bipolar disorder.
'I don't have them play themselves,' said Comfort. 'I'll have them play their family members.'
Most of the Mental Health Players are actors who are also involved in other community theater projects. There are about 20 to 30 people involved at any one time, and about 60 people have performed with the group in the past year, said Comfort.
'Every player has a starring role,' she said. 'There are no walk-on parts or minor roles.'
Danielle Furfaro can be reached at 454-5097 or by e-mail at dfurfaro@timesunion.com.
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Michael P. Farrell/Times Union MEMBERS of the Capital Distric Mental Health Players--from left, Beverly Vener, Holly Merton and Julie Lomoe-- role-play last week for students in the Health Career Exploration Program at Temple Israel in Albany.
