Erasing the Distance Performs True Stories of Mental Health Issues Through 3/21

Erasing the Distance (ETD), a theatre company that sheds light on mental health issues through theatre, is bringing their ETD for Hire touring program to all seven Chicago city colleges this winter and spring.

The performances are connected to the exciting news that as of Fall 2012, all seven City Colleges of Chicago now have on-campus Wellness Center. The CCC Wellness Centers offer students, faculty, and staff free counseling, mental health support, and references to various community resources.

Erasing the Distance will perform true stories about mental health issues for students and faculty at each of the seven campuses. The performance schedule is as follows:

Richard J. Daley College: Feb. 5

Olive-Harvey College: March 11

Malcolm X College: March 12

Harold Washington: March 13

Kennedy-King College: March 14

Harry S. Truman College: March 20

Wilbur Wright College: March 21

Erasing the Distance (ETD) is a not-for-profit arts organization that sheds light on mental health issues through theatre. Founded in 2005, ETD uses the power of performance to disarm stigma, spark dialogue, educate, and promote healing surrounding issues of mental health. ETD collects true stories from people whose lives have been impacted by mental health issues. We sculpt the stories into theatrical pieces for the stage, which our ensemble of professional actors then performs for schools, faith groups, community organizations, and the general public. Every performance is followed by a moderated, interactive dialogue with the audience that addresses the themes they have just seen.

So far, ETD has reached over 40,000 audience members and recently opened our 2012-2013 season with WILL YOU STAND UP?, a show that explores the connection between violence and mental health. ETD's second season will conclude this April with A SMALL, DARK ROOM, a world premiere created in collaboration with students from the University of Illinois Chicago that focuses on the mental health experiences of Americans of Asian and Middle Eastern descent.

For more information about ETD, please visit them on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/erasingthedistance.

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