the match party
“A caring social worker and
an emotionally guarded
face painter must confront
their own pasts
to save a foster child from rejection.”
Adoption and Older Children
In New Jersey 639 children from a total of 3188 foster children were placed for adoption during 2021 by the Department for Children and Families. Nationally there were over 53,000 children adopted, though over 100, 000 were eligible. As these children grow older, their chances for placement diminish. They are not the first chosen. Decisions to adopt these children are often clouded by misinformation about behavioral problems, attachment issues and other mental health concerns. For many placement is only a hope.
The Match Party comes from my own twice lived experiences on the path to becoming a parent. One of these parties was set in a donated space in an old and elegant mansion. What remains with me is the stark contrast between the rich architecture of the space and that of the lives of the children and prospective parents in attendance.
In this space the fears fueled by misinformation come face to face with a deep longing to create a family. Ralph Patterson
synopsis
“The Match Party” tells the story of Charlene Higgins adopted 28 years ago. Now a social worker helping to make matches, she carries questions about her own origins. Candice Tyler, a teenage foster child comes hoping, despite her age to get matched with parents today. Dorothy Henderson, Charlene’s biological mother is unknown to her, but works the party as a face painter. Dorothy struggles with the idea of revealing herself or letting Charlene’s stable life go forward without her. These three searches for acceptance take unexpected paths but intersect at
“The Match Party”.
CAST MEMBERS
Crystal Williamson
Dorothy
Aisha bin Gladys
Gina
Gina Simone Pemberton
Charlene
Donna Glaseaner
Ms. Higgins
Hadas Brown
Kelsey
Faith Simmons
Candice
the match party
“A caring social worker and
an emotionally guarded
face painter must confront
their own pasts
to save a foster child from rejection.”
