I read this really interesting and relevant discussion the other day (it was published in November, but I hadnt seen it) about working in theatre in different capacities while living with mental illness. The discussion, which is all women, includes a playwright, actors, and people in other roles.
Alexandra Socha is one of the actors featured in the discussion, and she shares that she lost a major job several years ago due to severe struggles with panic disorder, which included episodes of crying and extreme anxiety backstage while waiting to go on. While reading it I realized the job must have been Fun Home and it reminded me of the intense curiosity on this board after she was replaced. It kind of made me reflect on, as much as we all want the scoop on everything, actors are just people like all of us who struggle with mental illness, health issues, etc., and I feel like we should be mindful of that before launching into threads speculating about why actors leave productions (some of the posts about Socha leaving Fun Home, and the infamous “Betsy Wolfe departs CAROUSEL” spring to mind).
I guess the discussion left me curious- if an actor on Broadway is struggling with mental health, are they able to take a health leave of absence if necessary? Is there support and resources available for actors who play extremely emotionally taxing roles that may take their minds to dark and disturbing places for an extended period of time on a daily basis (Dear Evan Hansen, next to normal, Fun Home, too, as a matter of fact)? If it seemed to be affecting the actor too much, is it more likely that management would sit down with the actor and say, maybe this production isnt for you?
Sorry for the hodgepodge of thoughts! Just wanted to open up a discussion about some of this!
I don't have all the answers, but I do know that the production staff on emotionally taxing shows, such as DEH, do have resources in place to support actors. My understanding is also that DEH in particular provides resource information and training of some kind because there has been patterns of fans of the show relating so strongly to the material that they end up telling the actors about their own struggles; this way the team can gracefully suggest resources without having to take on all the emotional outpourings on themselves.
Patrick Page (depression) and Patti Murin (anxiety) are two well known actors who deal with mental illness. There have been several articles snd interviews with Page where he talks about it and Murin has been open on social media. They are only two I can think of but I’m sure there are more. If you Google both you will find lots of info.
Patty3 said: "Patrick Page (depression) and Patti Murin (anxiety) are two well known actors who deal with mental illness. There have been several articles snd interviews with Page where he talks about it and Murin has been open on social media. They are only two I can think of but I’m sure there are more. If you Google both you will find lots of info. "
There are disputes re categories of mental illness, but I think in general any mental condition that prevents you from functioning in a healthy and self-satisfying way is considered a "disorder", at least, if not an actual "illness".
Patti Murin has taken several personal days during ‘Frozen’ to deal with her mental health. I applaud her for being brave enough to talk about it so publicly and hope her words help other people struggling know that even Disney princesses and Broadway stars can suffer from a very human disease.
As for an “extended leave of absence due to mental health issues”, I have no idea how that works.
MadAboutTheBoy said: "Patty3 said: "Patrick Page (depression) and Patti Murin (anxiety) are two well known actors who deal with mental illness. There have been several articles snd interviews with Page where he talks about it and Murin has been open on social media. They are only two I can think of but I’m sure there are more. If you Google both you will find lots of info. "
Is depression considered a mental illness?"
Speaking as someone who has depression, yes. It is.
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Though it’s not mental illness, Kristin Chenoweth suffers from debilitating migraine headaches. Her performance track during her Broadway runs is pretty impeccable so I’m always amazed whenever I watch her in a show knowing this about her. How many times a week is she up on that stage hunkering thru discomfort. I’m also one to still work regardless how ill I’m feeling. The show must go on. I’ve never cancelled an appointment, meeting or job even if I couldn’t stand for more than 2 minutes.
MadAboutTheBoy said: "Patty3 said: "Patrick Page (depression) and Patti Murin (anxiety) are two well known actors who deal with mental illness. There have been several articles snd interviews with Page where he talks about it and Murin has been open on social media. They are only two I can think of but I’m sure there are more. If you Google both you will find lots of info. "
Is depression considered a mental illness?"
Are you seriously asking that? Of COURSE it is. Try Google.
Still asking if depression is a mental illness?- wow- that could be one reason mental health gets the short end of the stick with health insurance companies.
joined:1/3/08
joined:
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Posted: 6/5/19 at 11:17am