ARVIAT - Director Gord Billard is no stranger to suicide, having taught drama in the Kivalliq for nine years.

He's seen, all too clearly, the devastating effect suicide can have on the friends and loved ones of those who take their own lives.

That knowledge had Billard grappling with his share of worries when he decided to direct The Bright Blue Mailbox Suicide Note in Arviat.

Billard spoke with his principal and guidance counsellor at John Arnalukjuak High School about having support staff on-site for the play in case any of the audience members got upset and needed to talk to someone.

"The fear was, of course, someone might dig up old memories or have painful wounds reopened," said Billard.

"Things went OK on that front, although, after our Tuesday show for the school, two or three students were a little upset and went to the guidance counsellor because they needed someone to talk to.

"It was nothing serious, but they required a bit of counselling after seeing the play."

Billard said reaction to the play has been very positive, including compliments from Mayor Bob Leonard and administrators at the Department of Education.

He said cast members really stepped up for the show and surpassed his expectations on a number of levels.

"The story was written and takes places in southern Ontario, and we didn't focus on a Northern theme because we wanted to keep it a bit distant and not bring it too close to home.

"I wanted to educate, rather than affect in an emotional way.

"That's why we didn't dedicate the play to anyone's memory.

"The more removed the story, the more people can identify with it because it's not about them."

Billard said he and the cast thought about a darker play, but decided against it.

He said in that play, suicide was personified almost as a shamanistic monster that lured people into its grasp.

"It was a scary show and the kids backed away from it because there was more fear involved than promoting conversation.

"The play we rejected tried to capitalize on the fear factor rather than on the fact we should be providing a forum for dialogue and discussion, not frightening people away.

"There's something to be said for the shock factor, I suppose, but the kids decided that wasn't the way they wanted to approach it and I agreed with them and respected their opinion.

"Having shock and fear thrown in your face is not going to help the situation here, because it will scare people away from talking about it rather than encouraging them to discuss it."

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