In a powerful initiative, Wellness and Prevention Services hosted an evocative student-run showcase focused on mental health stories on a recent Friday and Saturday. The y(OUR) Story performance featured touching, anonymously submitted narratives from students, staff, and community members, echoing the diverse mental health experiences faced by many. This year, Crossroads Coffee House welcomed the event, previously held in the Blue Ridge Ballroom.
The no-budget showcase featured volunteer actors from the Department of Theatre and Dance, who performed a range of monologues and a compelling short play by alum Kait Bergmann. With contributions including a stand-up themed piece from Assistant Director Aurora “Mars” Freeman, the performance presented a rich tapestry of emotional struggles like those surrounding eating disorders.
Shifting from its previous all-monologue format, this year’s show integrated ethno-theater, transforming in-person interviews into moving performances. Directed by Alex Contianos, interviewees shared their mental health journeys with sensitivity, allowing audience members to connect deeply with the sentiments portrayed. “It’s a way to connect with the community through the arts. Making people feel heard, feel seen,” Contianos emphasised.
Having worked on y(OUR) Story since 2024, Contianos noted the ensemble format’s unique charm. Collaborations in costume design and tone-shifting monologues helped craft a collective performance that conveyed crucial mental health stories. “We are all working together to create this piece of art that tells really important stories that need to be heard,” she stated.
The community aspect of y(OUR) Story was especially meaningful for participants like junior Andy Stanulewich, who shared his personal mental health story through a monologue. He articulated the catharsis of expressing long-suppressed thoughts: “I took all the things I wanted to say and never got to, and let it all pour out.”
The creation of the show involved an inclusive process, with no auditions and three months of rehearsals. Actors channeled the interviews’ emotional tones to embody them authentically. “When we’re doing the performances, we’ve all had this experience as well, we all know what it’s like,” Stanulewich reflected.
WPS has been integral to y(OUR) Story’s longstanding success, aiding in advertising and outreach while providing a venue for the expressive performances. The ultimate aim is to bolster mental health awareness and facilitate creative expression for those in need. From Contianos’ perspective, “Most people are going to help you.”
The Wellness and Prevention Services hosted y(OUR) Story, a student-run showcase of mental health narratives in a new venue this year. The production featured volunteer performers and an innovative ethno-theater approach, highlighting diverse experiences. With aims to promote mental health awareness and provide community support, actors drew on personal stories, emphasizing empathy and connection throughout the performance.
Wellness and Prevention Services has brilliantly fostered a supportive platform for mental health discourse through the y(OUR) Story showcase. It exemplifies collaboration among students, staff, and community members, creatively narrating personal experiences that resonate deeply. The integration of ethno-theater enriches the storytelling, emphasising that many share similar struggles, fostering hope, connection, and awareness. This heartfelt initiative encourages a cultural shift in how mental health topics are discussed and addressed.
Original Source: theappalachianonline.com
