‘Terminal Exhale’ exemplifies academic collaboration

“Terminal Exhale,” the ninth production of the Verbatim Theatre Project, provides a powerful example of the impact of the interdisciplinary education available at Carthage College.

About Carthage Verbatim Theatre

Developed through the collaboration of several academic departments, the production merges artistic expression with healthcare and social justice to tell the real-life stories of medical professionals who work to save the lives of shooting victims.

The Carthage Nursing, Social Work, and Theatre departments co-sponsored “Terminal Exhale” alongside Everytown for Gun Safety and the 80% Coalition. This cross-disciplinary initiative exemplifies Carthage’s mission to engage students from all academic areas in meaningful, real-world experiences.

The work on “Terminal Exhale” began in 2023, when a team of eight students interviewed doctors, nurses, surgeons, and mental healthcare providers. Under the guidance of Michael Cotey, a Chicago-based director and producer of “Enough: Plays to End Gun Violence,” the students collaborated to transform 28 hours of firsthand accounts into a compelling 90-minute script.

Panel discussion during a Healing the Healers event hosted by the Nursing, Social Work, and Theatre departments at Carthage College on March 29, 2025.Premiering on campus March 27-30, “Terminal Exhale” was more than just a performance — it was a conversation starter. On March 30, the production was accompanied by a daylong seminar, “Healing the Healers: Approaches to Gun Violence Exposure and Recovery.”

This event featured guest speakers, including healthcare practitioners whose experiences were dramatized in the play. A $9,000 grant from the Saemann Foundation made the full production possible.

Healing the Healers News Release

Beyond the stage, students engaged in research tied to the production. McKenna Dehn ’27, who studies theatre performance and sociology, facilitated a post-show talk-back. Attendees were invited to participate in surveys examining whether audience perceptions of gun violence shifted after seeing the play.

The Verbatim Theatre Project, founded by Martin McClendon, professor of theatre, initially focused on giving voice to veterans. Over the past decade, it has evolved to spotlight a range of issues to foster empathy and understanding.

The cast includes students from several academic majors:

Aiden Benewich ’27, Musical Theatre, as Richard Gillard
Terrell T. Franklin ’25, English, as Denzell Brown
Logan Gonzalez ’26, Theatre Performance, as Babak Sarani
Marcus Hanna ’25, Biology, as Joseph Sakran
Paige “PJ” Hebbring ’26, Theatre, as Colleen Trevino
Katie Layendecker ’25, English, Theatre Performance, as Allison Amateis
Olivia Litton ’25, Musical Theatre, as Cassie Ferguson
Annelise Lopez ’27, Elementary Education, as Nina Agrawal
Layla Nemri ’26, Music Education, as Halleh Akbarnia
Maria Romero ’27, Musical Theatre, as Melissa Chiu
Amber Sherman ’27, Marketing, as Kellie Snooks

Study Theatre at Carthage