Original. Unique. In-Depth.
Custom Shows
Erasing the Distance creates or co-designs custom shows for communities interested in exploring their own true stories regarding mental health and/or disability.
This is the case coming up this fall, with Will You Stand Up? a custom-built, collaborative project by Affinity Community Services and Erasing the Distance.
Will You Stand Up? uses community dialogue, theatre, and advocacy to address issues of violence and its impact on our individual and community health. This includes domestic, sexual, partner/dating, and emotional violence just to name a few.
- The project begins with a community forum held on Sept 29, 2010 in Hyde Park to discuss violence openly and safely.
- It then leads to an original performance created by Erasing the Distance sharing 6 stories of violence and its impact held on December 1st.
- The project concludes December 3 – 17 with 5 – 7 free workshops held by local violence prevention agencies and specialists.
Will You Stand Up? aims to be a hub through which a large cross-section of Chicago residents, from all walks of life, can connect with one another about violence related issues and prevention. The goal is for people to build awareness and learn tangible skills of how to respond to violence in themselves, their relationships, and in their world.
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As an example of another custom project, in Spring of 2010 Erasing the Distance worked with Al Raby High School on Chicago’s West Side.
Executive Artistic Director, Brighid O’Shaughnessy, worked with 12 seniors in AP Psychology as part of their service learning. The goal: to help them learn more about what mental illness is, how it can manifest, and what treatments are available. The project included real people who have experienced mental illness sharing their stories with the students. Ultimately, the students either wrote their own stories or interviewed people they know who have experienced mental illnesses and adapted those stories into a theatrical production.
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If you are interested in creating a custom project or residency for your school or community, give us a call to learn more! 773.944.5062.
Upcoming Projects
On Oct 2, 2010, ETD will perform FALLING PETALS, a custom designed production created in collaboration with AASPI – The Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative.
This production will shed light on how metal health issues and suicide impact the Asian and Indian communities. Before the show, audiences can participate in an interactive multi-lingual art exhibit.
Please join us for this inspiring event!
Location and how to RSVP info available here.