Come From Away

The musical, Come From Away tells the story of a small Canadian community of 10,000 on the island of Newfoundland. The residents provided for 7000 people diverted to their airport on the day of 9/11. Because of the situation, all air traffic to the United States stopped.

During a time of terror, the Newfoundlanders of Gander shared their homes and all necessities for their fellow human beings in this time of need.

Playwrights, David Hein and Irene Sankoff conducted hours of interviews to develop an authentic story of a people and a place that is, "both absolutely singular and yet universal," artistic director Christopher Ashley says. They spent five years researching the story of the five days in Gander that forged lasting friendships and changed lives. The couple wanted to, "Bring a little Newfoundland to to the other side of the continent."

While 9/11 introduced Gander to the world, what the town and surrounding areas gave in return revealed the goodness of human hearts.

At the La Jolla Playhouse, "The Paper Plane Project," a 3-D sculpture and projections explores the audience experience beyond the boundaries of the traditional theatre experience. Playgoers are asked to leave their thanks and share an act of kindness especially memorable in their lives.

Using notepads at the main exits of the Potiker Theatre, individuals drop special notes of thanks into the boxes. The messages will be projected onto the Wall of Gratitude as a meaningful and personal contribution to "The Paper Plane Project."

Inspired by the sense of community portrayed in Come from Away and embracing the paper plane as a symbol of generosity, the project expresses the collective power of many small acts of kindness and capture the positive energy that is born from gratitude.

We can make a difference one-on-one when we use and share laughter, healing and hope like the hands and hearts of the people of Newfoundland.

Take a piece of paper and fashion it into a airplane. Keep it as a visual reminder to commit to a kind, thoughtful act for someone else. Pledge to do it as soon as you can and as often as you can.

Share thankful memories, an act of kindness you witnessed or a good deed you did for someone else.encourage others and keep the momentum of kindesss and gratitude going.

Learn more at LaJollaPlayhouse.org.