Theatre is my passion. So is mental health. Why not marry the two?

Serotonin Stage Company was born out of a burning need to tell stories that speak unabashedly on the topics that mean the most to me… namely, mental health and wellness.

When I met Danielle Allen and read her piece, Lunaticus, and knew that she was a perfect partner for our debut production. Her work addresses Serotonin’s core topics with intelligence, emotion, and a personal touch.

Danielle’s one-woman, autobiographical show recalls her sudden spells of aphasia and mysterious blackout episodes, leading to a life-changing neurological diagnosis and leaving her to navigate an escalating disability while sorting through her relationships, confronting her mortality, and reckoning with an unexpectedly fractured sense of self.

I've learned so much from Danielle and Lunaticus. I've learned that epilepsy and other seizure disorders can present in variety of ways... not every neurological event looks like the ones you might imagine when you hear the word "seizure." And I learned that seizure disorders are much more common than you might think: 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy during their lifetime.

Now, you might be thinking, "isn't your theatre company centered on mental health, not neurological health?"

You're right. I didn't expect the first play I'd produce under Serotonin Stage Company to be about epilepsy. I imagined I'd find a play about anxiety, or depression, or OCD (some of the challenges I've navigated myself). Instead, Lunaticus showed me that health journeys, disabilities, and diagnoses in all forms have mental health implications that are worth exploring through theatre. Danielle so elegantly weaves discussions of identity, grief, and growth throughout Lunaticus. Upon reading it, I realized that more nuanced or subtle nods toward mental health can be just as impactful as more explicit ones.

Lunaticus is relevant, it is necessary, and it is a joy to watch.

We are thrilled to be presenting our progress as a part of the Artist Residency Series at The Barrow Group. We are using this staged reading as a launchpad for our fully produced, mainstage debut coming this fall. We've made huge strides in sourcing venues, initiating conversations with partners, and establishing our creative vision, but we can only go so far without you!

Your donations will make it possible for us to book a venue that will serve the logistical and creative needs of Lunaticus. They will allow us to pay the brilliant artists we plan to bring on board to make our vision come to life. They will fund our marketing to get the word of this topical and timely play out to a broader audience. And they will make Lunaticus the best that it can possibly be!

Thank you for making it this far. I hope to see you in the audience!

Liv Sheridan