A collaborative mural project from the old Central State Hospital. The new play ‘Asylum’ tells the story of Dr. Jonathan Mangold, who created an art studio at the hospital; June 12, 283-6472.

There will be a staged reading of Asylum, a new play by local writer David Schanker, at the Indiana Medical History Museum on the grounds of the old Central State Hospital. Asylum tells the true story of Dr. Jonathan Mangold, a psychologist, painter and Vietnam veteran, who had once been institutionalized with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. He creates an art studio at the hospital, and in dong so changes the lives of his patients and raises hopes that the hospital can be kept open as a place of refuge. At the same time, Dr. Mangold fights demons in his own life.

“Asylum is about art, science and madness,” Schanker says, “and about one doctor’s determination to make a difference for his patients despite political and personal obstacles.”

This presentation is being produced by the Beckmann Theatre 2nd Stage and the Medical History Museum in association with the Indiana Theatre Works Algonquin Project. It will take place in the museum’s historic theater space June 12, 7 p.m. The Medical History Museum is located at 3045 W. Vermont St. Admission is free. For further information call Suzanne Buchko at 283-6472.