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Why
is this play important?
Mental illness is a major public health concern and one that affects
our youth. It’s a disease that crosses all ages and socio-economic
barriers but, due to stigma, is not often talked about.
Important
facts related to mental illness and young people:
- Suicide
is the third leading cause of death in Nebraska for young people
ages 8 – 24
- 20%
of U.S. youth suffer from a mental illness, including depression
(over 23,000 in Nebraska)
- Two-thirds
are not getting the help they need
- One
out of five children in Nebraska are affected by mental health
problems – either their own or that of their parents.
The
goal of A Bump In the Road is to:
- Educate
high school-aged students about the various forms of mental illness.
- Communicate
the symptoms and signs.
- Help
students learn to cope with their own illness and that of others.
- Foster
a sense of understanding and compassion.
- Provide
information on resources available in their community.
Is
there a cost to the school / presenting organization for the production?
The script of A Bump In the Road is available to schools
and community organizations royalty-free, meaning there is no cost
associated with its use.
However,
as is the case with most all theatrical productions, schools/presenting
organizations will be responsible for all production elements associated
with the performance, including costumes, props, set, lighting,
etc.
Resource
materials including digital versions of presentations, sample programs,
and scripts are available at no cost and can be found in the "Educational
Tools" section.
What
is the performance length?
A Bump In the Road is approximately 35 minutes in length.
We
encourage presenting organizations to incorporate a question and
answer period following the performance, to include school counselors
or other experts in the mental health field.
What
is the size of the cast?
The play is written for 23 characters. However, depending on how
it is staged, the opportunity exists for actors to portray multiple
roles, if necessary. So, there is some flexibility in how many performers
are included in the production.
Do
I need to apply for use of the script even though it’s royalty
free?
If your school or organization is interested in producing A
Bump In the Road, please contact Mary Beth Wahlmeier, Project
Relate, at (402) 891-6964 or at mwahlmeier@thekimfoundation.org.
Although
the script is available royalty-free, we will be tracking its use
and the impact of the performance across the state.
Who
should I contact with questions about the play itself and how it
was presented originally?
Please
Contact:
Jeff Nienhueser
Director of Theatre
Papillion-La Vista South High School
10799 Highway 370
Papillion, Nebraska 68046
(402) 829-4600
Or,
email:
info@projectrelate.org
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