Second Step Players
Transformation is in the air
Becca's blog on the transformation grants
Becca writes about Artreach staff and volunteer experiences at the Omega Institute for MBSR training. And, more about the upcoming show in September which is a direct result of the Transformation grants. And, how Becca learned how to "fly" through the air with the greatest of ease. Go to blog.
Artreach in the news
Artwork helps alter perceptions of mental illness
Click link above to see Hartford Courant article about our art show at DMHAS office in Hartford.
Sept. 24-25 Show featured guitars, improv theater: Transforming grants into art and healing
New Photos from the show
Using grants awarded by the state and some material from our 22-year theatrical repertoire, Artreach showcased two nights, Sept. 24-25, of guitars, improv theater, as well as some sketches from its touring show at the Spirit of Broadway Theater in Norwich, Conn. All of the music and theater was performed or written by adults with mental illnesses, or focus on issues related to the stigma and challenges faced by adults with mental illnesses. Click here to see our PDF flyer.
This summer, Artreach was awarded two Mental Health Transformation grants by the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services through a federal grant program. (See story below.) The two grants allowed Artreach to explore the possibility of developing an ongoing workshop series in Skill Building/Artistic Development and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) within its existing Second Step Players theater program.
In the artistic skill building phase of the grant, Artreach hired a professional musician to teach guitar classes to intermediates and beginners at the agency. A theater professional taught classes in improvisational theater and awareness-based theater skills.
Plans are underway as well to seek more funding for the workshop series.
"This series is part of an agency-wide effort to shift consumers' perceptions about recovery and adopt an atmosphere of positive growth at Artreach" says Becca. "Our hope is that by building these skills, program members will begin to engage in more activities outside of Artreach."
Artreach receives two transformative grants
Arteach has received two Mental Health Transformation (MHT) grants from the state of Connecticut to implement pilot programs in skill building and stress reduction. The grants, which total approximately $11,000, come from federal money awarded to the state the national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). According to goals set forth in the President's New Freedom Commission report, grants are awarded to agencies that "are making fundamental changes to the mental health system of care."
"Artreach, from its beginning, has always sought to facilitate recovery and community involvement in a way that pushes the envelope in terms of creativity and change," says Executive Director Becca Atkins. "We are already two-thirds of the way through guitar classes funded by this grant. And we have attended the stress reduction training.
The skill building grant will provide for classes in improvisational theater skills and beginning and intermediate guitar classes. Ideally, the newly developed skills will begin to permit participants to gain access to opportunities for employment in arts-related jobs or for volunteer participation in local theater events, coffeehouses, and other artistic events within the community.
"We are encouraging and supporting members to band together and help each other in their efforts to work with local artistic organizations," says Atkins. "Research in the field has indicated that the skills and techniques that these grants will help us teach do have long-lasting effects and major positive changes in behaviors and mental attitudes."
Who are the Second Step Players?
The Second Step Players is a theater troupe comprised of actors, writers, artists, production personnel, musicians, poets and comedians who have psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression (including bipolar), obsessive-compulsive disorder and disassociative identity disorders. More than 50 mental health consumers and 25 volunteers make up its ranks.
Why the Second Step Players?
The Second Step Players write and perform original comedy and drama about the experience of being labeled with a mental illness. Such open honesty in front of an audience is empowering and plays an important part in the recovery process.
The healing energy of laughter provides a forum for players and audience members to engage in a dialogue about the myths surrounding psychiatric illnesses. Furthermore, the troupe players serve as an inspirational role model for other people with psychiatric disabilities.
Where do the Second Step Players perform?
We have produced high-quality, professional theater and music since 1985:
- Every year, the Players produce a full-scale show at the internationally renowned Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center in Waterford, CT.
- The Players perform more than 20 touring shows and workshops throughout Connecticut, New England, New York and Pennsylvania.
- We've even made our way down to Baltimore, Md., over to Omaha, Neb., and way, way down to Austin and San Antonio, Texas.
Audiences include high school and college students, the general public and mental health consumers, family and staff.
To find out more or to book the The Second Step Players for a performance, call Becca Atkins at (860) 887-0014.
