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Heart &
Mind is a new musical theater project by award-winning
director / playwright / author Elizabeth Swados that raises awareness
of mental health issues among youth and provides crucial information
on where to seek help.
Renowned
Playwright Liz Swados Brings Theatre Arts to Youths
At a recent audition
for high school students hoping to become cast members of HAI’s
newest production Heart and Mind, the
Director, Elizabeth Swados asked the youths to give their strutting
fingers some personality. Confused, blank stares made their way
around the circle of teenagers who had expected to read monologues
or sing songs, but one by one they followed the spiky red-haired
director’s lead. Ms. Swados’ methods may seem a bit
unorthodox to some, but for more than 30 years she has been using
similar techniques to create acclaimed performances for youth and
adults. Serious matters are addressed in her work, including depression,
which has appeared as a focal point and inspiration for some of
her finest material.
HAI first approached
Ms. Swados in May of 2002 to begin working on a new production entitled
Loss & Gain, a performance that focused on the general sentiment
of New York City youth in a post 9/11 America. After the success
of Loss & Gain, HAI moved to solidify
its relationship with Ms. Swados by asking her to develop Heart
and Mind as a new performance that focuses on the stigma of mental
health and its effects on teenagers. For Ms. Swados this production
is about how youth feel “when they're not crazy, but they
think they are, and when they might be crazy but think they're not.
The reality of being a teenager and the unreality of being a teenager.”
When asked why she enjoyed
working with young actors Ms. Swados said, “For 30 years I
have been trying to make musicals that are different. I like to
approach subjects that have weight. That’s why I really enjoy
working with youth. They have extraordinary talent that no one taps;
they’re so gifted as writers and actors.”
Ms. Swados also has two
new publications, “My Depression,” a picture book that
uses humor and humanity to convey her personal experiences with
depression, and “At Play,” a step-by-step guide to bring
out the natural creativity and enthusiasm key for young people to
create and enjoy improvisational theater.
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