Effort will take place during ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ performance; raise awareness about mental health and substance abuse challenges
The West Bend Theatre Company announces it has partnered with Affiliated Clinical Services to help raise awareness of mental health and substance abuse challenges in the production of “Every Brilliant Thing.”
“We are happy to be a community partner in supporting ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ and most certainly the message behind the play,” said Dr. Jim K. Giese, a licensed psychologist and clinic director at ACS.
'“Every Brilliant Thing,” written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe, is audience interactive theatre that will use humor to address the important subjects of mental health and suicide. It is not a show about suicide, but rather about the many brilliant things that are reasons for living, such as a favorite ice cream dish, a vacation destination, etc. It is a message of hope.
“Every Brilliant Thing” is an uplifting and inspiring piece of theatre with a heartfelt message that is needed as we work together to advance beyond COVID-19.
In a recent article by The Associated Press, overdose deaths soared to a record 93,000 last year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase of 30 percent from the previous year.
In the story, Brandon Marshall, a Brown University public health researcher who tracks overdose trends, said, “COVID has greatly exacerbated the crisis.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic was so damaging on so many levels and continues to be on many levels,” said Nicholas Dettmann, West Bend Theatre Company board of directors’ president. “It is why we wanted to present this show; offer a message of hope to the community. Partnering with Affiliated Clinical Services, which does a phenomenal job of helping people suffering mental health or substance abuse challenge in the area, is a terrific opportunity to continue to spread awareness of the challenges people continue to face.”
Affiliated Clinical Services is dedicated to helping enhance the well-being of clients in the community by offering a range of professional comprehensive, personalized and supportive services to help clients achieve their personal goals and find solutions to life’s problems. ACS has offices in Hartford and West Bend.
The show stars Carrie Renk, John Tiefel and Mary Kirby. “Every Brilliant Thing” opens Aug. 20 at the West Bend Masonic Lodge.
“Every Brilliant Thing” will be Aug. 20-22 and Aug. 27-29 at the West Bend Masonic Lodge. Show time for the Aug. 20-21 and Aug. 27-28 dates is 7:30 p.m. The show time for the Aug. 22 and Aug. 29 shows is 2 p.m.
At this time, it is expected seating capacity will be at 100 percent. Tickets are on sale now at www.westbendtheatreco.com/tickets for $21 each. All seats are general admission.
Founded in 2010, incorporated in 2017, the West Bend Theatre Company is a non-profit theater entity presenting live theater, camps, workshops and special events. The mission of the West Bend Theatre Company is to celebrate, enhance, and inspire by producing excellent theatre and by giving back to our community.
Upcoming shows by the West Bend Theatre Company include “Our Town,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Thornton Wilder in October, and Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story “A Christmas Carol” in December.
For more information about the West Bend Theatre Company, as well as upcoming shows, visit our website: www.westbendtheatreco.com. Be sure to also follow us on Facebook (@wbtheatreco), Twitter (@WBTheatreCo) and Instagram (@westbendtheatrecompany).