Listen Now To Season One Of STAGE COMBAT: A MENTAL HEALTH STORY In Advance Of Season Two Out This Month

Listen to Season One of Stage Combat: A Mental Health Story now! Telling his own story, Sean Hayden directs the "riveting series" according to On Stage Blog, and Boy Culture confirms it is "a compelling story". Explosive new episodes when Season II begins July 25, 2023.

In 2019, Sean Hayden thought he had booked the role of his dreams at the prestigious Goodspeed in its production of "Billy Elliot, The Musical." As he drove over the Connecticut River and laid his eyes on the fairy tale Opera House for the first time, Sean had no idea what would be looming behind its doors. "Stage Combat: A Mental Health Story" takes the listener into the insular world of the theatre industry in which the unspoken rule is, "You are not supposed to speak up. Or there will be consequences." If you thought all the drama happens on stage, wait until you hear what happens after the curtain closes in this immersive listening experience. In a unique format, each episode is followed by a short "post-show talk back" with Sean and a mental health professional. Together they unpack the issues presented in the episode in provocative conversations about mental health and the theatre industry.

With the Stage Combat: A Mental Health Story Podcast, Sean aims to underscore the importance of raising awareness and providing support for the mental well-being of actors and theater staff. By fostering a culture of compassion, understanding, and accessible resources, we can empower actors to navigate the demanding nature of theater with resilience and confidence.

Listen to Season One now on Apple Podcasts. Season II begins July 25, 2023. NEW EPISODES DROP ON TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS!

The podcast stars 20 additional voice actors. The podcast is recorded and edited by Andrew Linn. Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott.

Sean Hayden (creator, actor, director) / HAYWOOD PRODUCTIONS, LLC is the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC. As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in two Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country. He is a proud union member of Actors' Equity Association. As a mental health advocate, Sean has provided thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees in various media outlets. His op-ed on "Men and Mental Health" appeared in The Economic Times. Sean resides in New York City and upstate New York with his husband, a screenwriter.