The Manic Monologues

Last updated
The Manic Monologues
The Manic Monologues poster.jpg
Poster
Written byZachary Burton; Elisa Hofmeister
Date premieredMay 2019 (May 2019)
Place premiered Stanford University, California, USA
Original languageEnglish
Subject Mental Illness

The Manic Monologues is a play developed and premiered by Zachary Burton and Elisa Hofmeister at Stanford University. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] The play consists of autobiographical accounts of mental illness from people diagnosed with mental health disorders, the family and friends of mental health patients, and health professionals. The play explores diagnoses including bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, OCD, and PTSD in stories that are by turns tragic, humorous, and uplifting. [2] [3] [4] [7] [9] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

Contents

The Washington Post calls it "A play that hopes to smash the stigma surrounding mental illness." [1]

Background

Burton and Hofmeister wrote the play in the wake of Burton's 2017 bipolar diagnosis while a doctoral student at Stanford University, drawing inspiration from The Vagina Monologues and incorporating approximately 20 true stories of mental illness provided by individuals across the U.S., Canada, and beyond. [17] [18] [19] Psychiatrist Rona Hu (who served as advisor to the first season of Netflix's 13 Reasons Why [20] [21] [22] ), psychologist and professor Stephen P. Hinshaw, advocate and performer Victoria Maxwell, [18] [23] [24] playwright and Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Freed, editor Tom Shroder, physician and Emmy awardee Seema Yasmin, and activist Kenidra Woods consulted on the writing and production of the play. [2] [3] [10] [13] [25] [26]

The Manic Monologues premiered during Mental Health Awareness Month in 2019 at Stanford University. [1] [2] [17] [19] [27] The play has shown in Des Moines, Iowa, [6] [11] [28] [29] where David Felton of BroadwayWorld dubbed it "A production I won't soon forget," [11] and at the University of California, Los Angeles. [6] [8] [9] [10] [30] The script is currently offered to theaters and groups wishing to produce the play themselves. [2] [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bipolar disorder</span> Mental disorder that causes periods of depression and abnormally elevated mood

Bipolar disorder, previously known as manic depression, is a mental disorder characterized by periods of depression and periods of abnormally elevated mood that each last from days to weeks. If the elevated mood is severe or associated with psychosis, it is called mania; if it is less severe, it is called hypomania. During mania, an individual behaves or feels abnormally energetic, happy or irritable, and they often make impulsive decisions with little regard for the consequences. There is usually also a reduced need for sleep during manic phases. During periods of depression, the individual may experience crying and have a negative outlook on life and poor eye contact with others. The risk of suicide is high; over a period of 20 years, 6% of those with bipolar disorder died by suicide, while 30–40% engaged in self-harm. Other mental health issues, such as anxiety disorders and substance use disorders, are commonly associated with bipolar disorder.

Edwin Fuller Torrey, is an American psychiatrist and schizophrenia researcher. He is associate director of research at the Stanley Medical Research Institute (SMRI) and founder of the Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC), a nonprofit organization whose principal activity is promoting the passage and implementation of outpatient commitment laws and civil commitment laws and standards in individual states that allow people diagnosed with severe mental illness to be involuntarily hospitalized and treated throughout the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Alliance on Mental Illness</span> American nonprofit organization

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a United States-based nonprofit organization originally founded as a grassroots group by family members of people diagnosed with mental illness. NAMI identifies its mission as "providing advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives" and its vision as "a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares". NAMI offers classes and trainings for people living with mental illnesses, their families, community members, and professionals, including what is termed psychoeducation, or education about mental illness. NAMI holds regular events which combine fundraising for the organization and education, including Mental Illness Awareness Week and NAMIWalks.

<i>The Vagina Monologues</i> 1996 play by Eve Ensler

The Vagina Monologues is an episodic play written in 1996 by Eve Ensler which developed and premiered at HERE Arts Center, Off-Off-Broadway in New York and was followed by an Off-Broadway run in at Westside Theatre. The play explores consensual and nonconsensual sexual experiences, body image, genital mutilation, direct and indirect encounters with reproduction, vaginal care, menstrual periods, prostitution, and several other topics through the eyes of women with various ages, races, sexualities, and other differences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creativity and mental health</span> Concept in psychology

Links between creativity and mental health have been extensively discussed and studied by psychologists and other researchers for centuries. Parallels can be drawn to connect creativity to major mental disorders including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, OCD and ADHD. For example, studies have demonstrated correlations between creative occupations and people living with mental illness. There are cases that support the idea that mental illness can aid in creativity, but it is also generally agreed that mental illness does not have to be present for creativity to exist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mental health</span> Level of human psychological well-being

Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing cognition, perception, and behavior. According to World Health Organization (WHO), it is a "state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to his or her community". It likewise determines how an individual handles stress, interpersonal relationships, and decision-making. Mental health includes subjective well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, intergenerational dependence, and self-actualization of one's intellectual and emotional potential, among others. From the perspectives of positive psychology or holism, mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and to create a balance between life activities and efforts to achieve psychological resilience. Cultural differences, personal philosophy, subjective assessments, and competing professional theories all affect how one defines "mental health". Some early signs related to mental health difficulties are sleep irritation, lack of energy, lack of appetite, thinking of harming oneself or others, self-isolating, and frequently zoning out.

Schizophrenics Anonymous is a peer support group to help people who are affected by schizophrenia and related disorders including bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, psychotic depression and psychosis.

The Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC) is a U.S. non-profit organization based in Arlington, Virginia, originally announced as the NAMI Treatment Action Centre in 1997. The TAC was subsequently directed by psychiatrist E. Fuller Torrey and identifies its mission as "dedicated to eliminating barriers to the timely and effective treatment of severe mental illness". The organization is most well-known for proposed laws, policies, and practices regarding legally compelled outpatient services or outpatient commitment for people diagnosed with mental illness. The organization identifies its other key issues as "anosognosia, consequences of non-treatment, criminalization of mental illness, psychiatric bed shortages, public service costs, violence and mental illness". Advocates for mental health have criticized TAC for endorsing coercion and forced treatment.

Amy Freed is an American playwright. Her play Freedomland was a finalist for the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mental Health Awareness Month</span> American observation in May since 1949

Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the United States since 1949. The month is observed with media, local events, and film screenings.

Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) was established in the U.S. in 1990 recognition of efforts by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to educate and increase awareness about mental illness. It takes place every year during the first full week of October. During this week, mental health advocates and organizations across the U.S. join to sponsor events to promote community outreach and public education concerning mental illnesses such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Examples of activities held during the week include art/music events, educational sessions provided by healthcare professionals and individuals with lived experience and/or familial lived experience, advertising campaigns, health fairs, prayer services, movie nights, candlelight vigils, and benefit runs.

Frederick King Goodwin was an American psychiatrist and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the George Washington University Medical Center, where he was also director of the Center on Neuroscience, Medical Progress, and Society. He was a specialist in bipolar disorder and recurrent depression.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psycho Donuts</span> Restaurant in Campbell, California

Psycho Donuts is a donut shop in Campbell, California opened in March 2009. The theme of the shop is "craziness"; it specializes in unusual donut flavors and many of its donuts' names are puns on mental illnesses or other mental health conditions, and the store's decorations include a straitjacket and a padded cell. In 2016, a third location in Santa Clara, California was opened, which along with the second location in Downtown San Jose, has closed. In 2021 A pop up location in the Valley Fair mall was opened and it still currently operating.

Mental illnesses, also known as psychiatric disorders, are often inaccurately portrayed in the media. Films, television programs, books, magazines, and news programs often stereotype the mentally ill as being violent, unpredictable, or dangerous, unlike the great majority of those who experience mental illness. As media is often the primary way people are exposed to mental illnesses, when portrayals are inaccurate, they further perpetuate stereotypes, stigma, and discriminatory behavior. When the public stigmatizes the mentally ill, people with mental illnesses become less likely to seek treatment or support for fear of being judged or rejected by the public. However, with proper support, not only are most of those with psychiatric disorders able to function adequately in society, but many are able to work successfully and make substantial contributions to society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Wood (actor)</span> American actor

Christopher Charles Wood is an American actor. He is known for his role as Kai Parker in the sixth season of the CW's television series The Vampire Diaries in 2014, after previously appearing on The CW's The Carrie Diaries in the role of writer Adam Weaver in 2013. He also starred in the 2016 CW television series Containment in the starring role of Atlanta police officer Jake Riley. From 2016 to 2018, he played Mon-El on the CW superhero series Supergirl. In 2021, Wood voiced He-Man in Masters of the Universe: Revelation. In 2022, he played Russell Hammond in the Broadway musical Almost Famous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronald Braunstein</span> American orchestral conductor

Ronald Braunstein is an American orchestral conductor. He is currently the music director and conductor of Me2/Archived 2020-01-31 at the Wayback Machine, the world's only classical music organization created for individuals living with mental illnesses and the people who support them. He lives in Malden, Massachusetts with his wife, Caroline.

Hypomania is a mental and behavioral disorder, characterised essentially by an apparently non-contextual elevation of mood (euphoria) that contributes to persistently disinhibited behaviour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bassey Ikpi</span> Nigerian spoken word poet

Bassey Ikpi is a Nigerian-born American spoken-word artist, writer, and mental health advocate. She has appeared on HBO's Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry five times and her poetry has opened shows for Grammy Award-winning artists. She's also the New York Times bestselling author of I'm Telling The Truth But I'm Lying. In 2020 she judged the Indiana Review Creative Nonfiction Prize. She also features on the OkayAfrica's 100 Women campaign 2020 honoree list, which celebrates women building infrastructure for future African generations.

<i>Perfect Chaos</i>

Perfect Chaos is a 2012 memoir co-written by Linea Johnson and her mother, Cinda Johnson. The book follows a mother-daughter journey of the struggle of the diagnosis and living with bipolar disorder and depression.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Erin Blakemore (29 April 2019). "A play that hopes to smash the stigma surrounding mental illness". The Washington Post. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Rachael Myrow (2 May 2019). "'Manic Monologues' Seeks to Disrupt the Stigma Around Mental Illness". KQED. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 Karla Kane (24 April 2019). "'The Manic Monologues' puts a spotlight on mental illness"". Palo Alto Weekly. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  4. 1 2 Kaylee Beam (25 May 2019). "'The Manic Monologues' tells stories of pain and resilience". The Stanford Daily. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  5. 1 2 Julia Ingram (5 June 2019). "'The Manic Monologues' co-founders draw from personal experience in producing play to fight mental health stigma". The Stanford Daily. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 Alex Kekauoha (23 January 2020). "How two Stanford students turned mental health struggles into art". Stanford News. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  7. 1 2 "Psych Byte: The Manic Monologues". International Bipolar Foundation. May 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  8. 1 2 Penelope Mack (1 November 2019). "Zach Burton '14 makes his debut". The Bowdoin Orient. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 "This School Year Smash Stigma with Manic Monologues". ProjectHappiness.org. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  10. 1 2 3 Modern Healthcare (15 February 2020). "Student's struggle with mental illness inspires play". Modern Healthcare. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  11. 1 2 3 DC Felton (9 November 2019). "BWW Previews: THE MANIC MONOLOGUES at Open Door Rep: A Production I Won't Soon Forget". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  12. Sierra Porter (15 November 2019). "A psychotic break led this Stanford Ph.D. student to create a play on mental illness". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  13. 1 2 Jeff Bell (29 September 2019). "Spotlight – Stanford Grad Student Helps Fight Mental Health Stigma Through "The Manic Monologues"". The Adversity 2 Advocacy Alliance. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  14. Maxwell Schaeffer (10 November 2019). "Open Door Rep - The Manic Monologues". iHeartRadio. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  15. "The Manic Monologues". A Gentle Guide to Des Moines Theatre. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  16. John Busbee (17 November 2019). "The Manic Monologues". The Culture Buzz. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  17. 1 2 Jeff Bell (29 September 2019). "Spotlight: Stanford Grad Student Helps Fight Mental Health Stigma Through "The Manic Monologues"". KCBS Radio. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  18. 1 2 Victoria Maxwell (21 February 2020). "The Healing Power of Sharing Your Story". PsychologyToday.com. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  19. 1 2 Udani Satarasinghe (4 February 2019). "Unspoken Narratives aims to foster mental health awareness through social media". The Stanford Daily. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  20. Erin Digitale (24 March 2017). "Stanford psychiatrist advised producers of new teen-suicide drama". neuroscience.stanford.edu. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  21. Wenlei Ma (26 April 2017). "Netflix defends 13 Reasons Why amid suicide controversy". news.com.au. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  22. ""13 Reasons Why" Raises Questions Over Media And Mental Health". NPR. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  23. Amy Chillag; Sanjay Gupta (29 January 2016). "Actress fights bipolar disorder stigma with comedy". CNN. Retrieved 24 June 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  24. Karen Barrow (21 March 2017). "Patient Voices: Bipolar Disorder". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  25. BET Staff (12 March 2020). "Future 40: Kenidra Woods Is The Mental Health Warrior We Need". BET.com. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  26. Taylor Crumpton (2 July 2018). "Teen Activist Kenidra Woods Organized the Hope for Humanity Project Rally in St. Louis". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  27. "NAMI Santa Clara County Newsletter" (PDF). National Alliance on Mental Illness. April 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  28. Maxwell Schaeffer (13 November 2019). "Open Door Rep Opens "The Manic Monologues" to Benefit NAMI Greater DSM". WHO NewsRadio. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  29. "NAMI Greater Des Moines Newsletter" (PDF). National Alliance on Mental Illness. November 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  30. "The Manic Monologues". The Friends of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior at UCLA. February 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.