To the editor:

You may have read in the Barrington Times three months ago about my son and his overcoming his addiction. He was a little reluctant to tell his story, but he figured if it could help a couple teenagers from going through the hell he did it was worth it. He also did it because he knew I wanted to do a play that moved people not to do drugs. I wanted to do it in Barrington because I had done it there before all the actors won All State acting awards. I offered to cover all expenses. My son wanted to do it in Barrington as that was where he first faced opioids.

Six months after I asked, I was told this week I could not do the play because Barrington is entering one. I am dubious.

So I could use some help. Does anyone know the principal of any school in Rhode Island that would like a play for their students that costs the school nothing and all but guarantees 16 actors will win All State Acting Awards? 

I'm serious, contact me at jhellmann426@gmail.com

But after 25 years of being at every FTM, on appropriations and hundreds of school and town meetings I watched as the schools every year demanded more money, had surpluses of $1 million or more, and spend it on whatever they wanted, I promised myself when I moved back I would not get involved.

But a school system that can refuse an award winning play, for free, depriving students of All State acting awards (it always looked good on my resume and got me into several auditions including for Cheers) really shows it doesn’t need more money. I will help work to that end.

Some other school will have 16 All State actors.

Joel Hellmann

Barrington