1993 O'Neill Show
Psychos-R-Us and other Skits-Ophrenia
satirical comedy about the experience of mental illness and other universal truths
The 1993 O’Neill show was the first for Becca Atkins, who became Assistant Director of Second Step Players that year after choreographing “The Thorazine Shuffle” as a volunteer for the touring show to Nebraska that took place earlier that year. Judy Essex began acting this year as well. Judy performed and toured with The Second Step Players for 30 years after her debut. Featured sketches in '93 were “Metaphysical Jeopardy,” by Steven Marks; the three-part piece “Guilt,” co-written by Ronna Keil, SJ Williams and Kato McNickle; and the first in Kato McNickle's beloved series of sketches located in “Dysfunction Junction,” the show was notable for having skits that were toured for 25+ years after their debut. Themes this year included stigma; employment issues when one has a gap in their resume; and general misunderstanding about mental illnesses and the humanity of the people who have them.