Artreach, Inc. will present the renowned Second Step Players in their first virtual show Stir Crazy: Comedy from the Pandemic on Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 7:00 pm. The show can be viewed on Artreach’s Facebook page and YouTube Channel, @ArtreachHeals. The event is free; donations will be gratefully accepted. For more information, visit www.ArtreachHeals.org.

Registration is not required to attend; however registrants will recieve a reminder email with the links and last minute tips for enjoying the show!

When the pandemic hit, Artreach immediately moved all its programming to virtual platforms. Over the summer, the Second Step Players began to meet and brainstorm ideas for sketches that would reflect the particular challenges of living through a pandemic. The result is seven brand new, original comedy sketches under the umbrella title Stir Crazy.

Artreach will stream the performance live through its YouTube channel and Facebook page, both @ArtreachHeals. Registrants will be emailed direct links the day of the selected performance.

You may also go to our Facebook page and set a reminder for the performance you would like to attend.

Audience members can simply go to either platform a few minutes before the 7pm curtain time to view the performance. The performance will be emceed by Artreach Executive Director Becca Atkins, with commentary between each sketch. Not only are Artreach performances quality entertainment, they also raise awareness about mental health and bust the stigma of mental illness. Becca Atkins said, “With all of us living through the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope this performance will not only help us all laugh at what we are experiencing, we hope our audience will also gain a deeper understanding of how to better take care of their mental health.”

Talk Back: Registrants will be invited to a talk-back with Executive Director Becca Atkins, Stir Crazy creators Emma Palzere-Rae and Carin Jennie Estey, along with the cast on Sunday, January 24th at 5:00 - 6:00 pm. A Zoom link will be emailed after the performance you attend.

Stir Crazy is sponsored by Yale New Haven Health/Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, CorePlus Credit Union, Charter Oak Federal Credit Union, and Chelsea Groton. The program is made possible with the support of the Pfizer Community Foundation; Chelsea Groton Foundation; CultureSECT Economic Recovery Fund of the Southeastern CT Cultural Coalition and Community Foundation of Eastern CT; and the Norwich Rotary Foundation. Artreach also receives support from the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS); CT Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts, which also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; the Edward and Mary Lord Foundation; the New England Foundation for the Arts; and Charter Oak Credit Union.

ABOUT

The SECOND STEP PLAYERS theater troupe has been active since 1985. Artreach co-founders Ronna Keil and SJ Williams had a vision for a theater that would both entertain and educate, and that consisted of actors, writers and production personnel who have lived experience with mental health issues. The renowned Second Step Players have toured nationally, and continue to present their unique brand of comedy locally and throughout the state.

Under the current leadership of Becca Atkins, Emma Palzere-Rae and Carin Estey, The Second Step Players continue to develop new scripts, and present sketches from the repertoire of earlier scripts (because they are loved and are still relevant today). Stir Crazy features all new sketch comedy material and marks the Second Step Players first virtual performance.

ARTREACH heals through creativity. Using the creative arts, Artreach supports sustainable recovery from psychiatric disorders and raises awareness about mental health in the community-at-large. By providing theater, music, visual arts, and recreational opportunities to members, Artreach enhances the quality of its members' lives and teaches skills that help them achieve and sustain recovery after experiencing mental illnesses. Our public performances and art exhibits engage attendees in conversation about mental health and serve to bust the stigma of mental illness, creating social change in our community. Founded in 1985, Artreach is know for the Second Step Players sketch comedy troupe, the Music Heals Coffeehouse, and Mixed Bag performances of comedy and music. www.ArtreachHeals.org.

• Artreach, Inc. presents the Second Step Players
• Stir Crazy: Comedy from the Pandemic, an all new, original sketch comedy show
• Streaming to YouTube and Facebook at @ArtreachHeals
• Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23, 2021 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm
• More information: www.artreachheals.org
• Free; donations gratefully accepted.

See you at the show!