DETROIT – It’s something we will all encounter in life -- the grief of losing someone we love.
But too often, people feel alone in their grief.
“We live in a society that doesn’t teach us how to grieve,” explained Marla Ruhana, a clinical social worker and grief therapist. “We don’t want to hear about it after the funeral, and we have expectations people will get over it.”
It was that experience that inspired playwright and producer Elizabeth Coplan.
“A lot of people I loved were dying, or had just died, and I found that when I wanted to share that story to my friends and other members of my family, they really didn’t want to talk about it. And I started to write about it,” said Coplan.
Those writings lead to an award-winning play and ultimately moved Coplan to found Grief Dialogues, a non-profit arts initiative dedicated to transforming conversations about dying, death, and grief
“In the Wake of Life: An Immersive Experience” has been performed across the country and arrives at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms on May 4th and 5th.
The free, one-hour event features a blend of theater, poetry, music, and storytelling. The audience is invited to move through the performance space.
“We gather in one room together, the audience, and the first play, everybody shares and watches,” said Coplan. “We also have kind of an activity area. We have beautiful colored ribbons. We have note cards for people to write to their loved ones. And then there will be plays, short plays going on in various other rooms at the War Memorial. And you can go to whichever room you want.”
People can also just sit and listen to live music. A grief facilitator will be available throughout the event to support participants.
Coplan said the plays range from intense to humorous.
“It’s actually a mixture of every emotion you can possibly think of, quite frankly. In fact, one of our audience members said, we put the ‘motion’ back in emotion,” said Coplan.
The Detroit show features a host of local performers, including Xydee Alexander, Phil Elam, Jacquie Floyd, Tayler Jones, David Popa, Jeff Priskorn, Nick Szczerba, and Detroit Symphony cellist Una O’Riordan, as well as storyteller, author, and playwright Dwight Stackhouse, veteran advocate Dr. Qwynn Galloway-Salazar (Doc Q), and community leaders Pastor Corey L. Kennard and Ruhana.
The production is creatively shaped by Emmy Award-winning, Tony-nominated director Dani Davis.
Support for the Detroit presentation is provided by INELDA (International End of Life Doula Association) and No Negative Energy.
The goal is to create a safe space to remember -- with people who understand.
“They will feel seen and heard and validated, and they won’t be interrupted when they’re talking about their person,” said Ruhana. “I think a lot of people feel isolated on their grief journey, and I think those could really benefit from this event. But then again, anyone is welcome.”
In the Wake of Life: An Immersive Experience
The War Memorial — Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
Monday, May 4 and Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: Free (advance registration required)