Red Branch Theatre Company Partners with Howard County NAMI for NEXT TO NORMAL Performances

Red Branch Theatre Company announced today it is partnering with the Howard County Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to host an audience talkback session following the April 15^th performance of the emotionally charged Broadway musical Next to Normal at Drama Learning Center. 

Next to Normal is a rock musical about a mother’s struggle with mental illness and the effect it has on her family.  Stephanie Lynn Williams, owner and co-founder of Red Branch Theatre Company, who is directing the company’s version of the production, was looking for an organization to partner with to provide a support outlet due to the difficult and sensitive subject matter of the show.  Meanwhile, the Howard County NAMI staff expressed an interest in providing information to the audiences of the show which led to the two organizations working together.   “We wanted to bring the story full circle.  If there are audience members that find themselves relating to some of the themes of the show but don’t know who to talk to or where to turn, the information provided by NAMI may be helpful to them,” Williams said. 

Steve Gray, Director of Programs and Development for Howard County NAMI will host an audience talkback session immediately following the April 15^th 3:00pm show.  He will discuss some of the issues brought forth within the production and invite audience members who wish to participate to discuss them in more detail.  Howard County NAMI will also be holding a fundraiser in conjunction with the Red Branch Theatre Company’s April 19^th performance.

Red Branch Theatre Company is the first organization in Columbia to premiere Next to Normal.  The show runs on select dates from April 6^th through April 22^nd at Drama Learning Center in Columbia.