"It's a great educational opportunity and a window into how frightening advanced ovarian cancer is," said Mandy Fox, who plays a renowned scholar diagnosed in the last stage of ovarian cancer in Ball State University's production of "Wit."

The drama is staged Sept. 14-17 and Sept. 21-24 in University Theatre by Ball State's Department of Theatre and Dance. Information about ovarian and other types of cancer will be displayed in the theater's lobby during performances.

Fox is drawing on personal experiences -- and shaving her head -- to portray the play's dying cancer patient.

"I'm taking images and memories of people in my life who have been touched by cancer or who have found themselves in a rapidly deteriorating condition," said Fox, a professional actress and member of Ball State's theater faculty.

The show's cast has learned how to correctly handle medical equipment and procedures with help from registered nurse Sherrill White, vascular access educator in patient education at Ball Memorial Hospital, and local internist Lora Jones-McClure.

"One of the most interesting challenges is creating an environment where you can believe it's a hospital," said Don LaCasse, director of the production.

Edson herself was a unit clerk on the cancer and AIDS inpatient unit of a major research hospital during the first clinical trials for AZT.

She also was a physical therapy aide in a hospital and a fund-raiser for a community mental health organization addressing the psychosocial aspects of HIV. She wrote and designed the training manual "Living With AIDS: Perspectives for Caregivers."

By Ted Buck, Communications Manager