Music Theatre International (MTI) is teaming up with the Mental Health Literacy Collaborative to create a valuable guide for theatre educators. This resource, called Supporting the Whole Performer: Mental Health Literacy in Theatre, will be free for all groups that license shows from MTI.
The guide focuses on four key areas: resilience, relationships and belonging, health awareness, and identity. It’s designed to help educators address mental health topics effectively, whether during rehearsals or in the lives of their students.
John Prignano, MTI’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the power of musicals in discussing mental health. He believes these performances can help young artists understand their emotions and relationships better. “Musicals offer a meaningful way to explore mental health literacy,” he stated.
Annie Slease, CEO of MHLC and a former theatre teacher, added that musical theatre is a crucial space for young people. She hopes this guide will empower all adults involved in productions to talk openly about mental health. “When those conversations happen, everybody can thrive,” she noted.
According to a recent study by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 youth experience a mental health condition. This underscores the importance of addressing these issues in settings where young people gather, such as theatre.
The guide will be included with every MTI license package in the coming weeks. This initiative could change the way mental health is approached in theatre, making a supportive environment for students and professionals alike.
For more details, visit MTIShows.com.
