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ERASING THE DISTANCE
ABOUT
WHAT IS
STIGMA?
A mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person. If something has stigma attached to it, people think it is something to be ashamed of.
WHY IS STIGMA SO DANGEROUS?
For people living with mental illness, the presence of stigma can complicate how they are perceived and treated. The more we work to disarm the stigma by sharing our stories, the closer we get to make sure others are treated fairly and justly.
OUR STORY.
It started with a small group of people in the back of a coffee shop reading their stories aloud. The conversation that followed lasted for hours and Erasing the Distance was born. Since 2005 the organization has travel across the country collecting and sharing stories, facilitating conversations with audiences of all sizes and creating space for necessary conversations.
THE TEAM
Gabriela Diaz
Managing Artistic Director
Heather Bodie
Interim Executive Director
Heather joined Erasing the Distance in 2013 as an actor and director. She now serves as the Executive Director and Producer. A graduate of the University of Iowa, Heather holds a degree in Theatre Arts. She has been a part of the development process of over 40 new plays, 10 devised/documentary productions and has helped lead conversations aimed at disarming stigma for thousands of people over the last 11 years.
Al Kelly
Development Director
Al Kelly is a writer and performer based in Chicago. She has facilitated and led creative workshops for more than 4 years. She self-published a small collection of poems and has been featured in several online publications. Al enjoys acting and has been in many plays and short films. She is currently working on her very own one woman show. She believes in the power of laughter, the magic of nature, and the liberation of Black and Brown people everywhere.
DISARM THE STIGMA SURROUNDING MENTAL ILLNESS ONE STORY AT A TIME.
Since our founding in 2005, our efforts to disarm stigma have been made possible by and incredible number of people. The staff, board, artists, clinicians, interns, and volunteers all work together to keep the message strong, the stories supported, and the mission active. Join the Erasing the Distance family.
Charlie Stoops
President
Sara Sarkey
Vice President
Diana Alejandro
Treasurer
Jenise Celestine
Secretary
Dee Bolos
Director
Evelyn Joy Coker
Director
Judith Bradford
Director
Scott Hawksworth
Director
BOD
Charlotte Hunter Burns
Director
Dr. Kimberly J. Dean
Emeritus
MEET OUR
FOUNDER
Brighid O'Shaughnessy
Since 2005, Brighid has utilized theatrical performances about mental health issues to educate and disarm stigma.
A sought-after speaker and workshop leader, Brighid has presented at many events, including the Active Minds National Conference. Brighid was granted DePaul University's prestigious David O. Justice Award for her use of theatre to educate communities about mental illness in nontraditional and creative ways.
Brighid continues to be a fierce mental health advocate.
The closing moment of "Domincan: Chapter 2"
Winter 2018
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