27 Jan Mental Health Recovery on Stage at History Theatre, February 19
THANK YOU to all who joined us on February 19 for our annual Vail Place Theater Arts Program presentation at History Theatre! Stories of Humor, Hope and Healing put mental health recovery in the spotlight on stage. The audience discovered Vail Place member stories through scenes, monologues, poetry, song and movement.
We are very proud of all the members who shared their stories and their talents. The audience was so moved…
“The courage and blunt honesty and reality in the pieces take away my breath. The creativity, humor, hope, the deep experiences and rich adventures!”
“I liked to hear the actors advocate for themselves. I liked seeing the acceptance and living life on life’s terms!”
“So enjoyable. Honesty, support and courage! Good messages for all!”
“Six degrees of separation. We all are so close, and we all need a little help! Thank you!”
“They were brave, honest and happy. All were creative and the hard work showed!”
“I love how it shows the broad range of experience that people who live with mental illness have. All the stories fro members, and the beautiful way it was all put together. The vulnerability of everyone was very inspiring. The community is really wonderful.”
“How remarkable to have strength and bravery to stand up and share their stories, their talents and special humor. How wonderful they can find their blessings and happiness.”
If you missed this year’s performance, keep an eye out for next year’s! Vail Place member and performer Ranee invites you into her life… “It’s a great feeling to be on stage – a rush! It makes your self-worth and esteem better than ever. It’s refreshing to be able to create something and make it happen on the History Theater stage; to watch the audience and see how it affects them. This opens another door – it educates. There’s education around mental health, but we still have a long way to go. We’re people with degrees, jobs – we function like anybody else. We are human. For someone who has mental health issues like myself, Vail Place is a vehicle to help yourself – it’s the biggest ship of hope for people who have mental health and we want people to know that.”
The Theater Arts Program is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.