Mental Health Theatre Project

The Mental Health Theatre Project performed a play based on The Velveteen Rabbit, called "Get Real!", at Woy Woy and Wyong during Mental Health Week 2007. The Project was initiated in 2006 and is a working partnership between three groups of people – those who experience mental illness, staff of the mental health services on the Central Coast, and practitioners from local theatre groups. The Project is sponsored by Central Coast ARAFMI.

The aim of the Project is to develop a community of theatre practitioners on the Central Coast who use creative processes to promote public awareness of mental health issues, and who provide theatre arts training and support for people who experience mental illness. The project received significant funding from Gosford City Council under its Community and Cultural Development Grants, as well as the Mental Health Association of NSW.

In 2006 the initial stage of the project was a series of drama and movement classes delivered by professional tutors from Ad Hoc Community Theatre, at the Yakkalla Day Program at Bateau Bay, and sponsored by Central Coast ARAFMI. The Curriculum of the Theatre Skills Classes was delivered over 60 hours.

The second stage of the Project involved the production of a play that included members of the skills classes from Stage One, together with staff of the local mental health services, and theatre practitioners from the local community. At the end of a twelve week rehearsal process (July – September), a season of seven performances of "The persecution and assassination of Marat as performed by the inmates of the asylum of Charenton" by Peter Weiss was delivered at the Peninsula Theatre, Woy Woy, to a wonderfully receptive audience of over 500 people.

Ongoing Community Development Activities have taken place as a result of the Mental Health Theatre Project, since its inception in 2006. These include Presentations, describing the processes used, and incorporating photographs and video, at the Central Coast Cultural Laboratory (sponsored by Gosford City Council), Central Coast Mental Health Services Team Day, Forum for Mental Health Consumer Consultants from other Area Health Services. Excerpts from the 2006 show were performed at the Central Coast Disability Network Expo Day, and Project participants have completed 2-day Workshops in Stage Management and Stage Design.