Erasing the Distance: A Year in the Life

Annual NewsletterJuly 2010 – June 2011

Shedding light on mental health issues through theatre

2 3

A Note From the Executive Artistic Director

Dear Supporters,

It’s been a full and exciting year at Erasing the Distance. In many ways, it has been a year of partnerships.

We began our Fall of 2010 with a partnership with AASPI (the Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative). Together we brought to life a beautiful multi-media event shedding light on how mental health issues affect the Asian and Indian communi-ties. In addition to the performance, ETD Artistic Associate Meredith Siemsen created a multi-lingual, interactive art installation and visual artist Alfred Li Tsao showcased his stunning work. The show was such a success that it was remounted in March of 2011 for three days at the University of Illinois Chicago and will see more audiences in 2012!

Next, we worked closely with Affinity Community Services on Chicago’s South Side to bring to life a brand new vio-lence prevention initiative. From each of our organizations’ programming, we knew there was a link between violence and mental health and wanted to creatively respond. This exciting endeavor included a community forum, an original performance at the Vittum Theater, and free violence prevention workshops for the general public offered in col-laboration with some of Chicago’s most respected agencies, such as Rainbow House and Cease Fire.

In the Spring, we premiered an original production brought to life for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, done in col-laboration with Community Counseling Centers of Chicago’s Quetzal Center and Center on Halsted. The house was full that night, and we even had The Clothesline Project featured in COH’s lobby to deepen the impact of the event.

The season completed with an exciting partnership between Erasing the Distance and The Chicago School of Profes-sional Psychology. Graduate students learned the ETD methodology, sculpted stories into monologues, and six were chosen for a final performance at the prestigious Chi-cago Cultural Center. 300 people were in the audience. We received a standing ovation, and one of our storytellers even got up and shared his slam poetry during the talk back.

I speak to partnerships because without them, none of what Erasing the Distance did this year would have been possible. Together with these amazing collaborators and many, many others, we combined our creativity, commitment, and cour-age to have a powerful impact.

We also couldn’t have done it without you — our storytellers, our audiences, our volunteers, and our donors. Thank you for your partnership. We look forward to many more years of it to come.

Warmest Regards,

Brighid O’Shaughnessy Founder/Executive Artistic DirectorErasing the Distance

Who We AreFounded in 2005 and now seen by over 26,000

people, Erasing the Distance is a non-profit arts

organization that sheds light on mental health

issues through theatre.

Vision: To be a national creative leader in generating insight and compassion around issues of mental health.

Mission: To use the power of performance to disarm stigma, spark dialogue, educate, and promote healing surrounding issues of mental health.

Values: Central to the accomplishment of our mission and vision is a commitment to the following core values:

π Collaborationπ Compassionπ Courageous Communicationπ Excellenceπ Sustainability

You can expect to find these values in our words and actions.

What We Doπ Gather, transcribe and sculpt true stories from people impacted

by mental health issues into theatrical pieces for the stage.

π Present high quality, professional theatre productions for the general public.

π Offer custom performances to enliven meetings, conferences, events, and curriculum for organizations and schools around the country.

π Lead outreach programs that provide youth with an opportunity to explore, share and perform their own mental health stories.

π Teach our unique methodology of gathering true stories and transforming them into performance pieces.

How We Do ItErasing the Distance programming has three primary branches: ETD for Hire, Custom Productions, and Outreach and Education. Read on for more information about each of these vital areas of our organization.

What an impactful way to stimulate

conversation around topics and issues we

all face in some form. Very beautiful and

positive—and real.

—audience member

B’Nai Jehoshua Beth ElohimLatin School of Chicago Loyola AcademyLoyola UniversityOhio Wesleyan UniversityAlexian Brothers Hospital University of Illinois Chicago

University of ChicagoElgin Mental Health CenterColorado State University Marsh Elementary School

Greater Humboldt Park’s Community of Wellness Behavioral Health Forum

Congregation Rodfei ZedekChicago High School for the ArtsFirst United Methodist Church at Chicago Temple

Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and CultureNaomi Ruth Cohen Institute’s Community Mental Health Conference

Adler School of Professional PsychologyWhitney Young High School

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Dominican UniversityDCFS Latino Family Institute Conference

Indiana Association of Behavioral Health Consultants Annual Conference

Illinois School Social Workers Conference

ETD for HireErasing the Distance has a repertoire of over

40 true stories covering a wide range of topics

related to mental health issues.

Our stories feature people of all different ages, ethnic and racial groups, genders, sexual orientations, and perspectives. We even have a few stories in Spanish!

These stories are brought to life by our professional actors at various organizations across the state and country. See below for a list of the many places at which ETD performed this past year.

Call 773.856.3455 or email

brighid@erasingthedistance.org

to bring Erasing the Distance to

YOUR community!

4 5

Erasing the Distance creates or co-designs custom

shows for communities and organizations interested in

exploring mental health from different perspectives.

ETD staged FIVE world premieres during this past year!

Here is a brief glimpse into each.

Custom Productions

Truly one of the best

theatre experiences I've ever

had. I feel so empowered by

ETD in its ability to challenge

and motivate through theatre.

Thank you a million times.

—audience member

Falling PetalsOCT. 2, 2010 Created in collaboration with The Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative and staged at The Theatre Building (now Stage 773), Falling Petals featured stories exploring how mental health issues and suicide impact the Asian and Indian communities. The show also featured an interactive, multi-lingual art exhibit by Meredith Siemsen and visual art by Alfred Li Tsao. Falling Petals was remounted in March 2011 at University of Illinois in Chicago and will be performed a third time in 2012.

What You’re Not Expecting When You’re ExpectingOCT. 27, 2010 Two real mothers’ stories compared the differences between storybook expectations of motherhood and the actual reality of post-partum depression. Featuring a panel of health experts, the show was staged at Flourish Studios and presented in partnership with Swedish Covenant Hospital.

Will You Stand Up?DEC. 1, 2010 Will You Stand Up? featured six stories exploring issues of violence and how it impacts the mental health of individuals and their communities. The show was presented in partnership with Affinity Community Services and staged at Adventure Stage Chicago’s Vittum Theater. Will You Stand Up? was part of a three-month-long, three-pronged violence awareness initiative we spearheaded that also included a community forum and free violence prevention workshops for the community. Northern Trust was our gracious sponsor.

right:

Art by Alfred Li Tsao

below:

Art by Meredith Siemsen

left:

Cast and crew of Finding

Peace in This House

Finding Peace in This HouseJUNE 23, 2011 This theatrical production was the culmination of a five-month residency and training with The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (see pg. 7). Six stories, all transcribed and crafted by The Chicago School students, were staged in the Chicago Cultural Center’s Claudia Cassidy Theater.

ETD TO HOST FIRST ARTISTIC SEASON!

Beginning in 2012, Erasing the Distance will offer

an artistic season of shows so that more people

can witness our work and join the conversation

about issues of mental health. The productions

will be performed over a series of nights by

members of our professional acting ensemble

and will occur in partnership with major mental

health organizations that will offer training to

the actors, referrals, and clinical support to any

audience members who need it.

Stay tuned…more info to come!

Stronger Than Silence: surviving our secretsAPR. 28, 2011 This custom collaboration with C4 Quetzal Center featured four stories about the mental effects of sexual assault and was staged in the Hoover-Leppen Theater at Center on Halsted as part of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

6 7

OUTREACH andAn ETD outreach residency typically lasts 3–5 months

and includes in-depth mental health discussions with

students, speakers who come and share their personal

experiences, and an array of creative activities to help

students give voice to their own stories.

This year, ETD provided outreach at two Chicago schools:

This is the only part of my day

where I feel expressed. I want us to

have this program year-round.

–Grimes student

Robert L. Grimes Middle School

ETD hosted a three-month residency led by Certified Art Therapist Danniel Anthon, Brighid O’Shaughnessy and volunteer ETD artists. Students received support and education about mental health issues while giving voice to their own experiences with depression, substance-addiction, eating disorders, self-injury and more.

Al Raby High School

Brighid O’Shaughnessy led a five-month residency as part of the students’ service learning. The residency culminated in a self-created performance, staged for the school and community, which featured the students’ own mental health stories told through poetry, song and theatre.

Artwork created by an

ETD residency student.

What an amazing, life-changing,

powerful process! A great opportunity for

me to throw my textbook out the window

and better appreciate the subjective

experiences of individuals who have

experienced mental illness. –The Chicago School student

Erasing the Distance’s process of giving voice to true

stories about mental health issues is unique, and we

often lead presentations, workshops, trainings, and

longer-term programs to teach artists, mental health

advocates, and current/future health professionals

our specific methodology.

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Our biggest educational undertaking this year was with The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

With the guidance of Brighid O’Shaughnessy and ETD Board Vice President Jamie Pekarek Krohn, LCPC, graduate-level future clinicians conducted and transcribed interviews from individuals throughout the Spring 2011 semester. The students then edited and shaped those interviews into theatrical monologues, which were performed as the show Finding Peace in This House in June 2011.

EDUCATION

Brighid O’Shaughnessy

speaks with The Chicago

School students.

Co-facilitator Jamie Pekarek Krohn

Brighid O'Shaughnessy with Al Raby students

8 9

JUN 23, 2011

Finding Peace in This House world premiere!

JUN 5

Story of Reverend Cheryl Magrini performed at the Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute’s 10th Annual Community Mental Health Conference in Evanston.

JUN 5

ETD Executive Artistic Director Brighid O’Shaughnessy interviewed by host Angela Pargas on her Public Affairs Show on Radio Disney AM 1300.

MAY 23

Al Raby students present their residency’s culminating performance.

MAY 21

Two stories — one in Spanish, an etd first! — performed as part of The Greater Humboldt Park Community of Wellness Behavioral Health Forum.

MAY 13

an etd first! An Evening With The Senses Spring Gala,co-chaired by ETD Board Treasurer Lisa Liebman and ETD Board President David Strauss.

MAR 2–4

Falling Petals remount at University of Illinois Chicago.

FEB 25

Story of Chloe performed at Alexian Brothers Hospital’s Coalition for a Psychologically Healthy Community.

FEB 17

Five stories performed for students and faculty at Chicago’s Whitney Young High School.

FEB 15

Five stories performed for students and faculty at the Adler School of Professional Psychology.

JAN 25

an etd first! ETD performs for the first time in Ohio with four stories staged for students and faculty at Ohio Wesleyan University.

JAN 19

Two stories performed for students at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology to help kick off the student story-collecting residency with Brighid O’Shaughnessy and ETD Board Vice President Jamie Pekarek Krohn.

DEC 1

Will You Stand Up? world premiere!

NOV 16

Five stories performed for students at Loyola University.

NOV 13

A Secret Eats You Up Five stories, including the premiere of a new piece about one minister’s struggle with bipolar disorder, performed at the First United Methodist Church at Chicago Temple.

NOV 9

Brighid O’Shaughnessy and ETD Artistic Associate Meredith Siemsen instruct future teachers on the ETD methodology at the Anne Bilstein Theological College.

NOV 7

Brighid O’Shaughnessy presents at the Active Minds National Conference at Montclair State University in New Jersey.

OCT 22

Four stories performed at the Illinois School Social Workers Conference.

OCT 17

Story Sharing Day!ETD artists and volunteers collect interviews from anyone who wants to share their story at Flourish Studios.

OCT 8

Premiere of new piece that explores the Latino mental health experience. Performed at the Institute for Puerto Rican Arts and Culture as part of The Greater Humboldt Park Community of Wellness Project.

SEP 30

Two pieces performed on in-patient units for clients and staff at the Elgin Mental Health Center.

OCT 2

Falling Petals world premiere!

MAY 6

What’s Behind Our Eyes performed at Chicago’s Marsh Elementary School.

APR 28

STRONGER THAN SILENCE: Surviving our Secrets world premiere!

APR 19

Stories on pot addiction and bipolar disorder performed for teens at Loyola Academy.

APR 10

Story Sharing Day!ETD artists and volunteers collect interviews from anyone who wants to share their story at Flourish Studios.

APR 1

Students from the Al Raby High School residency perform their stories at a city-wide service learning conference at Malcolm X College.

MAR 29

Brighid O’Shaughnessy interviewed on CBS radio by Brendan McCaffrey of WSCR 670’s

“The Score.”

MAR 25

Three stories performed at the Chicago High School for the Arts.

MAR 18

Brighid O’Shaughnessy instructs University of Illinois Chicago students and community organization representatives on the ETD methodology.

JAN 4

Residency: Al Raby High School

DEC 12

Five stories performed at B’Nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim in Deerfield.

DEC 3–17

Will You Stand Up? Workshop Series Presented in partnership with Affinity Community Services and in collaboration with C4 Quetzal Center, Rape Victims Advocates, Rainbow House, Cease Fire and more, six workshops help teach skills and practice action for violence prevention.

DEC. 16

Understanding Youth, Media and ViolenceFacilitator: Carrie Wachter

DEC 14

“Manhood” isn’t a Bad WordFacilitator: Jae Jin Pak

DEC 10

Your Life is My Life, Ending Violence Starts with Me: An IntroductionFacilitators: Jenna Musselman-Palles and Melvin Santiago

DEC 8

Cyberbullying…The Choices and Responsibilities of Digital CitizenshipFacilitator: Sarah Migas

DEC 4

Assertiveness and Conflict ResolutionFacilitator: Melissa Richardson

Learning To Trust Your Gut — When Your Body SpeaksFacilitator: Linda Weise

DEC 3

Prevent Verbal ViolenceFacilitator: Yvonne Jeffries

NOV 5

Three pieces performed about Latino mental health for the DCFS Latino Family Institute Conference.

OCT 28

Five stories performed as part of the keynote address at the Indiana Association of Behavioral Health Consultants Annual Conference in Indianapolis.

OCT 27

Two stories performed for students and faculty at the Latin School of Chicago.

OCT 27

What You’re Not Expecting When You’re Expecting world premiere!

OCT 25

Two stories performed for 7th and 8th graders at The Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School at the University of Chicago.

OCT 24

Three stories about healing and community performed at Chicago’s Congregation Rodfei Zedek.

SEP 29

Community Forum on Violence held as Will You Stand Up? kick-off event.

SEP 20–21

Two performances of Facing the Rain at Dominican University.

SEP 16

ETD featured on Karen Meyer’s segment of the 11:00am ABC–News local news broadcast.

SEP 13

Residency: Robert L. Grimes Middle School

JUL–AUG

Brighid O’Shaughnessy and ETD ensemble member Rhonda Bynum lead a summer arts residency at Oak Park River Forest High School.

JUL 21, 2010

an etd first!ETD performs for the first time in Colorado with five stories as part of the Beneath the Light National Youth Conference at Colorado State University.

A Year in the Life 2010–2011

10 11

Visionary ($5,000+)Anonymous (3)Arch W. Shaw FoundationI.A. O'Shaughnessy

FoundationRebecca's DreamSirius Fund

Transformer ($2,500–$4,999)Chicago Board of Trade

FoundationNorthern Trust

Leader ($1,000–$2,499)City of Chicago CityArts

ProgramLisa and Marc LiebmanHelen and Dennis

O'ShaughnessyDebbie and David StraussSue and Robert Strauss

Change-Maker ($500–$999)City of Chicago CAAP

ProgramRobin and Ed CulbertsonJuliet and Michael GrayAlan KrohnJamie and David Pekarek

KrohnLatham & Watkins LLP

EmployeesSusan LloydJamie PasqualeJo ReiznerSally and Michael RosenthalBabe and Joseph SanfillippoBarbara and Ben ShapiroSharon SidellRhonda and Skip Stern

Healer ($250–$499)Lisa and Ron AbramsAlisa BergmanLaura and Eric BerlinLauren and Jeff BrownMichael CarrilloJantina CleggCaryn and Steven CohenWendy and Adam FleishmanMary and John FordSuzanne and David FriedlandKim and Daniel Griffin

Larry GrimmSheldon HarrisJellyvision, Inc.Renske and Russell LyndeMadonna and John B. MerrittCindy and Michael O'ConnorMary O'Shaughnessy and

Charlie Van GilderGail OwensJulie PekarekAshlyn and Andrew PohlJulia RahnPaula and Richard ShopiroCaroline SteelbergSuzy and Ron StraussChris and Mark Tippery

Supporter ($100–$249)AnonymousJennifer ArchCatherine ArnoldSara and Casper BalistreriSusan and Jon BallisRuthie BeamCarol Anne BeenLori and Seth BerkChristine BollettinoBrian BouldreyMaria BrahamCandace BroucherIna BurdSimone CarthanLaurie and Eric ChernWendy and Bill ChoslovskyLeslee and John CohenSharon and Jules CohenLori and Jon CooperJoanne and Anthony CurroDebbie and James DalletRachael and Ryan DeutschSusan and Marvin DickmanLoraine EdwaldsMark EnrightRobert EricksonJane FidlerElizabeth FinlaysonDana and P.J. FitzsimonsBarbara and Todd FordPatti and Michael FrazinPaul GebuhrLaurie and Phillip GerberJeff GlavanHolly GloffLiza and Dick GoldbergJanet and Scott GossGail and Marty Gottner

Grainger Matching GrantLois and Robert GreendaleJames R. HansenDeb and Gary HolzmanCarrie Horwitz Nancy HotchkissKaren and Tony HouseDiana Jaffe and Julie ReedSally JansenJenny and Pete JonesJames KaneAmy and Marty KaplanMichele and Brian KatzJenny and Michael KelberDebbie and Robert KellerJulie and Scott KindraLisa and Steve KleimanLorrie KnitterJamee and Scott KohnJames KonoldBarb and Bob KrugmanAimee and Adam LewisMelissa and Eric LinnMegan LordosLisa and Steven LowenthalMargaret and Richard

LuchtmanJudy MaciorErin MasonSusan MulhernLawrence NashSally and Robert NelsonJulie and Gregg OrloffErin PondKarla and Joe PopeFran and Lee PrestonStacie and Jason PrimerKayme and Brian PumphreyAmy and Jonathan ResnickSusan RichmanColleen and Mike RobsonTony RomasJill and David SchlossbergFelicia and Scott SchneiderHanna and Mark ShapiroJohanna and Skip SilverAndrea and Mark SilvermanJulie and Adam SimonLisa and David SitzmanStarcom Matching GrantMidge Stocker and

Diana CleggJosh Strauss and Anat

Geva-StraussNate TicoChristy Uchida

Guy Van SwearingenLisa and David WeinbergKathy and Mark WeinsteinStephanie and Jeffrey

WidmanBrooke Wiseman

Friend (up to $99)Kym AbramsSusan ArnoldDanielle BairdJean and Mike BanBank of America Foundation

Matching GrantStacy and Beth BankierJudith Barnes LaRueSandra and Chuck BarskyTim BatdorfAmy and Ron BergerAmy BernhardSheri and Robert BlacherJohn BlissLisa BooneScott BorchertSusan BorovskyCaryn and Jordan BresslerRobin BroadnaxAmy and Joel BrodskyTawanna BrownSusan BurgessSeamus CampionStacy and Kevin ChernettCindy CleggJennifer and Scott CohenJeff CummingsJulie and Kevin CunniffMichelle DahlenburgRashada DawanPatricia DeckerJane DeweyJennifer and Dan DoerflerSteve DomskyJoan and Stephen DuffyDelicia DunhamCindy and Michael EdelsteinMelissa and Todd EpsteinRebecca and Todd ErdmanWannapa and Claude

EubanksRachel and David FeinJill and Jason FeldmanKaty FergusonDeanna FiorentinoJudy and Jack FitzpatrickJacquelyn FletcherConnie Foster

Yolanda FowlerLisa and Daniel FriedmanNancy GamburdSusan GlassVirginia GoldrickAnne GoodGoodSearch Julie and Bill GordenBeth and Brian GottliebJennifer GrayKarey and Doug HalversonKrista HansenBarbara HendricksonJeanette and Richard

HollingsworthHelen and Mike

HollingsworthMeghan HouseJanet HoweKim HuntKim and Chris HussRachel and Jeff HymanRegina and Gregory JanicikEunice JensenCynthia and Stanley JohnsonSarah JolieRobin JonesDebbie and Todd KatzSteven KentRhonda and Glen KeysorJane and Bill KindraTanya KrohnMarianna and John KurzydloJoanne LambertSteve LeaverWarren LiebmanBill LipperAndrea and Anthony

LissuzzoJoan Llewellyn-BurnsJennifer LockeDarius LoghmaneeLois LongLisa MaggioreCheryl and Peter MagriniAlyssa and Robert MandelLynne and Stephen MarcusDeborah MarksRobin MasonMitchell A. MayJohn MayesThomas McGuireBruce McKeeverBarbara MurrayMargalit NeusnerJennifer and Tom Nowak

Erasing the Distance would like to thank our amazing donors

for their generosity. We simply cannot do it without you.

ETD Supporters

Donate Today!No amount is too small, and every contribution

goes a long way toward supporting ETD’s diverse

programming. All donations are tax-deductible.

To donate, visit www.ErasingtheDistance.org.

StaffBrighid O’Shaughnessy Executive Artistic Director

Diana Clegg Managing Director

Jennifer Mathews Communications Director

Chris Weise Production Manager

BoardDavid Strauss President

Jamie Pekarek Krohn Vice-President

Kelly Luchtman Secretary

Lisa Liebman Treasurer

Terence O’Shaughnessy Director

Mental Health Advisory BoardScott Conklin, LPC Grady L. Garner, Jr., PhD Jamie Pekarek Krohn, LCPCErin Mason, PhD Lawrence Nash, MD Jamie Pasquale, PsyD Lisa Sniderman, LCSW

Ambassador CouncilCarly BueltelAntonia CliffordHillary DoyleLisa GoodsonAngela Alise JohnsonBrian MellovitzRebekah Moras Brighid O'Shaughnessy

Wannapa Pimtong-EubanksAgime RahmaniJennifer ShineSarah SilvaChris Weise

Artistic EnsembleRhonda Marie BynumPhilip de GuzmanKatie GenualdiAngela Alise JohnsonJennifer MathewsBrighid O’ShaughnessyAdam PossRon RainsCraig C. Thompson

Artistic AssociatesBrenda ArellanoKamal Angelo BoldenWes ClarkStephanie Diaz-ReppenAmanda EatonJason EconomusAmos EllisJared FernleyDeanna FiorentinoKrista HansenChris HauserDavid HornreichMillicent HurleyAnish Jethmalani Maura KidwellSarah Luse Jessica Mondres Irene PatinoWannapa Pimtong-EubanksChris PopioAmira Sabbagh Meredith SiemsenDwight Sora

ETD staff members Jennifer Mathews, Brighid O’Shaughnessy, Chris

Weise and Diana Clegg

THE ERASING THE DISTANCE FAMILY

John OelerichCary OkoroRagnar OlsonWendy and Joby OrlowskyAmy PaniciNancy PekarekSusan PiaseckiFrancesca and Adam PicklinMelissa and Billy PolovinBeth RaapJenna RabideauxGail RandalNancy and Alan ReinbergAnne RichterJanis RichterAleda Richter-WestJulie RitcheyKathleen RodakLynn RoysterSarah RoznyAmira SabbaghPatricia and Norm SackLaura and Steve SchafferMichael SchmittErik SchroederKevin SchweitzerLeona SeleeBeth and Doug ShabelmanLeslie ShookKathleen SiemsenCarolyn SilbermanMarjorie and Edwin

SilvermanLisa SnidermanElaine and David SobelJulie and Michael SolotJeanne and Bob SomersJoan and Paul SouchekBeth and Gary SpencerCarolyn and Ken Spero

Krystal SteinerMelissa SterneJean and Don StewartSusanne SuffredinMary and Ken SullivanTammy and Doug SwillMarianne and Stuart TaussigSusan and Paul TobackJenny TopoloskyHelene TurnerM. Dianne WagnerWashington Post Company

Matching GrantSusan WehrliWilliam WehrliHarriet and Michael WeingerLinda WeiseFred WellischMelissa WhiteAndie ZamlerRobby ZarMaura Zurek

Rescuer (In-Kind)Adventure Stage Chicago Arts & Business Council

Business Volunteers for the Arts

Rhonda BynumcampusCATALYST,

Northwestern UniversityJeff Chelin Gedalya Chinn Fetch PRJimmy FreundYvonne JeffriesJohn LaVere PhotographyLightfellow Sarah Migas, Attorney

General's Office

$102,882*

Jess MillerZak MuchaKelsey MuellerJenna Musselman-

Palles, CeaseFireMeghan Llanes O'Connor,

Rainbow HouseJae Jin Pak, Community

Counseling Centers of Chicago

Angela Pargas, Radio DisneyRon RainsMelissa Richardson,

Rainbow HouseJulie RitcheyAmira SabbaghMelvin Santiago, CeaseFire Charlotte SchuberKristina SmolakStaplesThe Jason Steele QuartetCarrie Wachter, Rape

Victim AdvocatesChris WeiseLinda Weise

*Donations received July 1, 2010– June 30, 2011

Erasing the Distance

is a recognized 501(c)3

not-for-profit.

Shedding light on m

ental health issues through theatre

See a Show. Join the Conversation. Tell Your Story.For more information, visit us at www.ErasingTheDistance.org.

Blog: Follow us at erasingthedistance.blogspot.comFacebook: “Like” us at www.facebook.com/erasingthedistanceTwitter: Follow us at twitter.com/erasedistance

6504 N

orth Winchester A

venue, Chicago, IL 60

626

Thank you for shining the light.

Astonishing, moving and valuable. Amazing. Superb job.

Powerful. Compelling. Inspired me to keep going. I was in awe.

A phenomenal experience. Helped me to understand...

Eye-opening. Poignant, human, real. Just wonderful!

I believe everyone in the world should see this.