Erasing the Distance

Real. Relevant. Personalized.

ETD for Hire

ETD has a repertoire of over 40 stories that explore various mental health issues and feature people of many different ages, cultural backgrounds, racial groups, and perspectives. We even have a few stories in Spanish! We bring up to six stories to an event, depending on the time and budget you have available. Performances can be private or open to the public.

Check out our list of stories below, divided into age-appropriate categories. To navigate this page, check the box by all stories you are interested in and then scroll all the way down to submit. We will follow up with you as soon as possible!

For Adults

Aaron describes his fall from star athlete and gifted student to struggling with chronic depression. Even in the face of it, he continues to hold his head high.

Depression

Alma survives childhood incest at the hands of her grandfather and brother. She now battles depression as she struggles to come to terms with her past and build a new life with her partner and children. This story can be performed in English or Spanish.

DepressionSelf-InjurySexual Assault

Through the telling of her story, Angela comes to terms with what she thinks are the root causes of her social anxiety and what she sees as her next steps toward healing. (Role also performed by Irene Patino.)

Anxiety

Ben theorizes on a possible link between substance abuse and depression as he reflects on his longtime usage of marijuana, despite interventions from friends and family. (Role also performed by Chris Hauser and Chris Popio.)

Substance Addiction & Dual Diagnosis

Brian’s story is about a young man whose use of drugs to cope with depression eventually lands him in prison.

DepressionSubstance Addiction & Dual Diagnosis

Brigitte is a youth who gives voice to her experiences with bipolar disorder and self-injury and the influences that brought her closer to healing and self-acceptance. (Role also performed by Brenda Arellano.)

Bipolar DisorderSelf-Injury

Candice, born a man, candidly shares about her journey to become the woman she has always felt she was inside.

Cassie's sister Megan underwent cranial radiation for childhood leukemia. No one ever imagined it would lead to schizophrenia. Learn how Megan's illness has impacted Cassie and the rest of her family.

Mental Illness in FamiliesSchizophrenia

Cheryl, a minister in the United Methodist Church, speaks bravely about her experiences with bipolar disorder and how it affects her personally and as a spiritual leader.

Bipolar Disorder

Chloe faces bullying at school and punishment at home when it's discovered that she self-injures. (Role also performed by Kierra Bunch.)

Self-Injury

Chris is a young man with OCD who decides he is no longer going to let his disorder hold him back from a full life.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Deb is an elementary school teacher who self-injures as a way of coping with intense anxiety.

AnxietySelf-Injury

After being sexually assaulted, Emily finds that not everyone in her life is able to support her on her road to recovery. She eventually joins Rape Victim Advocates and promotes sexual health and an affirmative consent standard through SHEER.

Sexual Assault

After fighting her own battles with depression, Meredith learns that the illness runs in her family. She then forges a close relationship with her dad over their shared experience.

Depression

Wannapa is a Thai woman struggling to care for a child with a severe disability, find her own voice in marriage, and understand her impulses surrounding self-injury and suicide.

DepressionSelf-Injury

Take a look into the world of Janet, whose family flees a physically abusive father and husband to start a new life in Chicago.

Domestic Violence

Jay's girlfriend lives with OCD and an eating disorder. Things nearly fall apart before the couple faces reality and discovers how the power of love and honesty can change everything. (Role also performed by David Hornreich, Jason Economus and Ron Rains.)

Eating DisordersObsessive Compulsive Disorder

Jim’s story is about an older man’s loss of his own father and the lasting mark that it leaves on his life.

Gives audiences a glimpse into the challenges of living with OCD, particularly the rage that can build as Jonathan struggles to make peace with the debilitating obsessions and compulsions that often rule his life. (Role also performed by Craig C. Thompson.)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Katherine faces her eating disorder with the help of a friend.

Eating Disorders

Keara is a young woman who tries to deal with her anxiety through excessive alcohol use. She quickly becomes addicted and it significantly affects her life.

AnxietySubstance Addiction & Dual Diagnosis

Keith lives with OCD, which he has dubbed "Henry," and offers a unique perspective on his disorder and how Exposure Response and Prevention Therapy saved his life. (Role also performed by Chris Hauser.)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Kerwin’s story is about a man who loses everything, becomes homeless, and still strives to find purpose and direction in the face of his new circumstances.

Depression

Lawrence speaks about his struggle to find sobriety from alcohol when the anger inside of him feels like it has no release.

Substance Addiction & Dual Diagnosis

Lisa's struggle with bipolar disorder takes her from high school senior class president to college dropout to, presently, a licensed clinical social worker trying to balance being both a mental health specialist and a person living with a mental illness.

Bipolar Disorder

Marie grows up in an abusive home and looks to obsessive exercise and disordered eating as vehicles for control and maintaining invisibility. (Role also performed by Katie Genauldi and Rhonda Marie Bynum.)

Eating Disorders

Matthew, a charismatic slam poet, muses on how having Cerebral Palsy has affected his mental health.

Depression

Maya is an Indian woman who faces tremendous obstacles – a college assault, an abusive relationship, and the loss of a child – and still finds a way to achieve great things.

DepressionSexual Assault

Penelope sheds light on living with and surviving intimate partner violence and learning to find her voice again.

Domestic Violence

Ramona resiliently survives a trauma-filled adolescence and homelessness to go on to help other homeless youth find a voice.

Domestic ViolenceMental Illness in Families

After her first onset of severe chronic depression at age 13, Rebekah goes from high school drop out to eventual Fulbright scholar - but first she must accept that her illness is a biologically based disorder and requires medication to manage the symptoms. (Role also performed by Brighid O'Shaughessy and Jessica Mondres.)

Depression

Ryan's discusses how his father's alcohol addiction and domestic violence affects him both as a young boy trying to survive and as an adult struggling to come to grips with his own emotions. (Role also performed by Philip de Guzman.)

Substance Addiction & Dual Diagnosis

Sarah bargains, begs, and even tries to bribe her father to stop drinking - anything to stop the pain that his alcoholism wreaks on her family. This story can be performed in English or Spanish.

Substance Addiction & Dual Diagnosis

Sarah experiences a brutal sexual assault as a teenager, and finally finds healing after 20 years through C4’s Quetzal Center and her own process of forgiveness.

Sexual Assault

Shelly shares her journey from an abusive relationship to struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, depression and social anxiety. Through therapy, she discovers her own strength and inspires others through her experience. (Role also performed by Desla Epison.)

Sexual AssaultSocial Anxiety

Suresh finds hope after his brother's suicide through his Hindu faith, unwavering advocacy, and the support of a family and community willing to stand by each other.

Family Member Suicide

For High School

Aaron describes his fall from star athlete and gifted student to struggling with chronic depression. Even in the face of it, he continues to hold his head high.

Depression

Through the telling of her story, Angela comes to terms with what she thinks are the root causes of her social anxiety and what she sees as her next steps toward healing. (Role also performed by Irene Patino.)

Anxiety

Ben theorizes on a possible link between substance abuse and depression as he reflects on his longtime usage of marijuana, despite interventions from friends and family. (Role also performed by Chris Hauser and Chris Popio.)

Substance Addiction & Dual Diagnosis

Brian’s story is about a young man whose use of drugs to cope with depression eventually lands him in prison.

DepressionSubstance Addiction & Dual Diagnosis

Brigitte is a youth who gives voice to her experiences with bipolar disorder and self-injury and the influences that brought her closer to healing and self-acceptance. (Role also performed by Brenda Arellano.)

Bipolar DisorderSelf-Injury

Chloe faces bullying at school and punishment at home when it's discovered that she self-injures. (Role also performed by Kierra Bunch.)

Self-Injury

After being sexually assaulted, Emily finds that not everyone in her life is able to support her on her road to recovery. She eventually joins Rape Victim Advocates and promotes sexual health and an affirmative consent standard through SHEER.

Sexual Assault

After fighting her own battles with depression, Meredith learns that the illness runs in her family. She then forges a close relationship with her dad over their shared experience.

Depression

Take a look into the world of Janet, whose family flees a physically abusive father and husband to start a new life in Chicago.

Domestic Violence

Jaron shares how growing up with depression leads to drug use and ultimately cocaine addiction. After getting arrested for possession, Jaron turns his life around, finds sobriety, and makes a commitment to helping others.

DepressionSubstance Addiction & Dual Diagnosis

Katherine faces her eating disorder with the help of a friend.

Eating Disorders

Keara is a young woman who tries to deal with her anxiety through excessive alcohol use. She quickly becomes addicted and it significantly affects her life.

AnxietySubstance Addiction & Dual Diagnosis

Keith lives with OCD, which he has dubbed "Henry," and offers a unique perspective on his disorder and how Exposure Response and Prevention Therapy saved his life. (Role also performed by Kamal Angelo Bolden.)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Marie grows up in an abusive home and looks to obsessive exercise and disordered eating as vehicles for control and maintaining invisibility. (Role also performed by Katie Genauldi and Rhonda Marie Bynum.)

Eating Disorders

Matthew, a charismatic slam poet, muses on how having Cerebral Palsy has affected his mental health.

Depression

After her first onset of severe chronic depression at age 13, Rebekah goes from high school drop out to eventual Fulbright scholar - but first she must accept that her illness is a biologically based disorder and requires medication to manage the symptoms. (Role also performed by Brighid O'Shaughessy and Jessica Mondres.)

Depression

Ryan's discusses how his father's alcohol addiction and domestic violence affects him both as a young boy trying to survive and as an adult struggling to come to grips with his own emotions. (Role also performed by Philip de Guzman.)

Substance Addiction & Dual Diagnosis

Sarah bargains, begs, and even tries to bribe her father to stop drinking - anything to stop the pain that his alcoholism wreaks on her family. This story can be performed in English or Spanish.

Substance Addiction & Dual Diagnosis

For Middle School

Aaron describes his fall from star athlete and gifted student to struggling with chronic depression. Even in the face of it, he continues to hold his head high.

Depression

Chloe faces bullying at school and punishment at home when it's discovered that she self-injures. (Role also performed by Kierra Bunch.)

Self-Injury

Take a look into the world of Janet, whose family flees a physically abusive father and husband to start a new life in Chicago.

Domestic Violence

Katherine faces her eating disorder with the help of a friend.

Eating Disorders

Keith lives with OCD, which he has dubbed "Henry," and offers a unique perspective on his disorder and how Exposure Response and Prevention Therapy saved his life. (Role also performed by Kamal Angelo Bolden.)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Marie grows up in an abusive home and looks to obsessive exercise and disordered eating as vehicles for control and maintaining invisibility. (Role also performed by Katie Genauldi and Rhonda Marie Bynum.)

Eating Disorders

Sarah bargains, begs, and even tries to bribe her father to stop drinking - anything to stop the pain that his alcoholism wreaks on her family. This story can be performed in English or Spanish.

Substance Addiction & Dual Diagnosis






“What an impactful way to stimulate conversation around topics and issues we all face in some form. Very beautiful and positive—and real.”
-audience member

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Tight on budget, or only have a short time frame like a class period? Choose 1-2 stories.

Want a fuller picture on more topics? Choose 3-5 stories.

Questions?
Call 773.856.3455 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).