Erasing the Distance Continues Fall 2014 Events

Erasing the Distance (ETD), a Chicago-based arts organization that sheds light on mental health issues through theatre, is continuing to explore veterans' issues with three Fall 2014 engagements.

In November 2013, ETD created and staged the world premiere of Veterans' Voices, a documentary theatre project exploring mental health issues facing servicemen and women, veterans, and their families. ETD has since performed segments of Veterans' Voices at local locations such as St. Patrick's High School and DePaul University, where the entire play was staged as part of their Memorial Day President's Series.

ETD remains committed to their work in the veterans' community with participation in three Fall 2014 events:

Sept. 12, 2014
Clergy Training Conference
Cuneo Conference Center
Vernon Hills, IL
Erasing the Distance performed a story from their world premiere production Veterans' Voices as part of this day-long conference that focuses on clergy training in understanding military culture and the impact of military service on families. Hosted by Lake-McHenry Veterans and Family Services.

Sept. 25, 2014
Becoming a Military Friendly School
College of Lake County
Grayslake, IL
Erasing the Distance performed a story from their world premiere production Veterans' Voices as part of this day-long conference that focuses on the needs of students and families who have been, or are being affected by a parent's military service and its associated traumas. Hosted by Lake-McHenry Veterans and Family Services.

October 9, 2014
Enhancing Clinical Competence to Serve Veterans
Springfield, IL
Erasing the Distance will perform three stories from their world premiere production Veterans' Voices as part of this day-long conference that provides information with a clinical focus about treating unique issues associated with military service, improving care for military service members, veterans, and their families.

"After performing Veterans' Voices initially, we were struck by the profound impact of the production on our audiences," said Brighid O'Shaughnessy, Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Erasing the Distance. "We knew we had to continue our work with this community. Veterans are often forgotten, dismissed, and misunderstood. We are honored to be giving their experiences a voice."

Erasing the Distance (ETD) is a nonprofit 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 are then performed by our company of professional actors. 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 50,000 audience members. Their next public initiative is Tell Me What You Remember, a world premiere production about depression in families that opens Dec. 1, 2014. For more information, visit www.erasingthedistance.org.

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