LANSING – Todd Heywood, the artistic director of Sunsets with Shakespeare, has been hired by the Mid-Michigan Alliance for Community Health to develop and implement an improvisationally based theater troupe addressing stigma associated with mental health issues and teenagers.
"This is a very exciting opportunity for all of us," says Heywood who has run similar programs for Planned Parenthood of Mid-Michigan and the Corner Health Center in Ypsilanti. He was also resident director at Willow Run Community Schools for three years. "This is an excellent tool in getting at the roots of bullying and harassment in our schools while providing youth with valuable information on mental health issues."
The project will include an intensive training period for up to 50 youth ages 15-25. The training period will feature Interplay training by Roberta Otten-Mason, French mask and improvisation skills by Heywood and mental health information from Community Mental Health professionals. At the end of the expected six-week training period, up to 15 actors will be selected through auditions to participate in the second phase of the project.
Phase two will focus on the development of a script that will feature audience participation and explore stigma and mental health issues. During this second phase, actors will be paid to tour the show to up to 15 performances throughout an eight-county region.
Phase three will take the improvisation script and turn it into a finalized film script, which will then be shot and edited into a DVD. CMH will retain the rights to the film, which they can then provide to schools, community centers and others to continue to educate on stigma and mental health issues.
Those interested in participating in the project must be ages 15-25, available evenings for the next six months, and able to travel to cities in Michigan. While prior theater experience is helpful, it is not required. A dedication to addressing mental health issues and stigma is required. This is a great opportunity for youth leaders, community activists and others. Minority youth, women and consumers of mental health services are particularly encouraged to apply.
The project will accept the first 50 applicants from Ingham Count for the first phase of the project.
For more information, please email [email protected], with the subject line Mental Health.
Ingham County theater project seeks actors
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