By Wes Kilgore, Well Beings
Earlier this year, Bethesda, Maryland’s Round House Theatre, renowned for its dedication to fostering empathy and sparking vital conversations, found the perfect vehicle to demonstrate its mission. Their production of the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical Next to Normal delved deep into themes of mental health, trauma, and family dynamics, providing a platform for audiences to engage with these often stigmatized issues.
Authentic Representation and Personal Connection
Following in the footsteps of Dear Evan Hansen, Sweat and other influential plays that have addressed mental health and wellness, Next to Normal is far more than a story about a woman with bipolar disorder; it is a poignant exploration of a family’s struggle with grief and trauma. Tracy Lynn Olivera, who portrayed Diana, the mother of the Goodman family at the center of the play, emphasized this complexity in an interview. She expressed her frustration with the oversimplification of Diana’s character, saying, “It’s really not the story of a bipolar woman. It’s the story of a dysfunctional family trying to cope with grief… I think it’s a story really of a woman learning to heal from major trauma,” This nuanced portrayal helps audiences understand that mental health issues are multifaceted and deeply personal.
Olivera’s own experiences with bipolar disorder lent authenticity to her performance. She discussed the challenges and stigmas she has faced, highlighting the importance of accurate representation on stage. “I certainly understand a lot of it and I certainly understand the stigma surrounding it,” she said. “I think we should talk about these things and so I’m happy to always talk about it.” Her performance resonated with many, including audience members who have undergone similar treatments like Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). Olivera shared, “I had a woman come up to me after a couple of times and say that they had actually had ECT at one point.” This connection between the performer and the audience underscores the theater’s goal of creating relatable and impactful experiences.
Thoughtful Production Choices
Artistic Director Ryan Rilette explained that Round House Theatre aims to inspire empathy and provoke thoughtful discussions through their productions. “We strive to produce work that inspires empathy and demands conversation,” Rilette said. “With each of the plays that we produce, we’re trying to find the contemporary tie-ins to what is happening, whether that is something socially or politically.”
For Next to Normal, this meant incorporating innovative elements such as video projections to delve deeper into the characters’ inner lives. Rilette noted, “The reason to use video was really to try to get deeper into the sort of complexities of the relationships in the play and to tease out some things that you don’t often see, can’t see just on the surface that film can pick up.”
Community Engagement and Support
Understanding the potential emotional impact of Next to Normal, Round House Theatre took significant steps to support both the audience and the cast. They partnered with local mental health organizations like Well Beings to provide resources and support for anyone triggered by the performance. Information was prominently displayed in the theater lobby, ensuring easy access to help for those in need. “We wanted to make sure that we provided lots of mental health resources, both to the audience and to our team working on it,” Rilette explained.
Additionally, the theater organized discussions and workshops with mental health professionals to help the cast navigate the intense emotional landscape of the play. “We brought in a psychiatrist early on to talk about the mental health issues that were at play, and how it affected the individual characters,” Rilette said. “In doing that, it helps us to sort of unpack the play in a way that helps us gain a greater understanding of it.”
Inclusive and Accessible Theater
Round House Theatre’s commitment to inclusivity extends beyond the thematic content of their plays. They offer relaxed performances tailored for individuals with sensory sensitivities, ensuring that everyone can experience and enjoy theater in a comfortable environment. Olivera praised these efforts, stating, “They have that relaxed, the relaxed performances for people with special needs and I like how inclusive they are and when they say inclusive, they really mean it.”
The theater’s policies reflect their broader mission of accessibility and inclusivity. By making performances available to students and union members at reduced prices, and providing free tickets to underrepresented communities, Round House ensures that theater remains a space for everyone. “They don’t make it cost prohibitive for anybody. We had so many great student audiences,” Olivera noted.
Round House Theatre’s production of Next to Normal exemplifies their dedication to tackling important social issues through art. By providing an authentic portrayal of mental health struggles, supporting their community with accessible resources, and fostering inclusive practices, Round House Theatre not only entertains but also educates and empowers its audience. This commitment to mental health and wellness, both on and off the stage, underscores the vital role of theater in promoting empathy and understanding in society.
About the Author
Wes Kilgore is a writer, musician and bon vivant based in the Washington, DC area, and the proud parent of two disturbingly well-adjusted young women and two borderline sociopathic Corgis.