WATERFORDrama to present gripping and thought-provoking play on Mental Illness

Next month WATERFORDrama, the drama program at Waterford High School, will open its 13th season by presenting a gripping and thought-provoking play about mental illness. The Mental State will take the stage Thursday, October 20 through Saturday, October 22 at 7:00 p.m.

In the small rural town of Havenville, Kentucky, a working class family struggles to find help for their teenage son Andrew, as he battles with a serious mental illness. When Andrew's mother Angela reaches out to an overextended school system, an underfunded community mental health program, and a church community overwhelmed by Andrew's anti-social behavior, her cries for help fall on deaf ears. The Mental State explores the human story behind the newscasts, and asks how can we as a national community address the urgent issue of untreated teenage mental illness.

The Mental State is an honest and authentic piece of work written by a high school theatre teacher in the aftermath of tragedies like Newtown.

“In a time when tragedies such as Columbine, Sandy Hook, and San Bernardino occur,” explains senior cast member Matt McKinzie, “The Mental State humanizes the issue of mental health and those dealing with it. It places an issue often swept under the carpet in the spotlight, educating while also moving and challenging its audience.”

According to Shane Valle, WATERFORDrama’s Director, “I read this script over the summer and immediately knew that this was a story that needed to be told here in Waterford. Over the years I have seen many of my students struggle with mental illness…whether they suffer from something personally or know someone who does. Mental illness is not only invisible in many ways, but it is a taboo subject for too many people. I’ve found that many of my students WANT to talk about it, and I hope that by producing this show more people will be talking about it. As a community we need how to know the signs and what we can do to help others who suffer.”

Kaitlyn Mangelinkx, a senior who acted in and co-wrote WATERFORDrama’s original play I AM... two years ago stated, “The thing about doing issue plays is that your impact on the audience is not done when the curtain closes. You're able to spark conversation and really change lives because your character is there to make a point. I love issue plays. As fun as it is to make up outlandish characters for comedies, and as powerful as dramas can be, there's just something extra about an issue play that tears at your soul as an actor. I love it.”

“This is a truly outstanding show that has the power to open up an incredibly important dialogue that needs more of a voice in our society,” McKInzie adds.

Tickets for The Mental State are $7 for students and $12 for adults if purchased in advance and are available during school hours at Waterford High School. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults at the door. For more information or to reserve tickets, please call (860) 437-6956 x. 7407.