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From Receptionist to Playwright: A Journey Through Mental health and Creativity

After five years of recovery, ⁢getting more adept at managing my anxiety ⁣ and bipolar disorder, I had a ‍nice, tidy job as a receptionist at a small graphic design company. But over the course of working there, my acting bug gnawed away. That’s when I started writing excerpts about my experience with mental illness, specifically psychosis.

I gave in. I scratched that creative itch. Writing wouldn’t derail me from my comfortable,albeit slightly boring office ⁤job,⁢ right?

While still working as a marketing-assistant-slash-receptionist (heavy emphasis on the slash⁣ part), I read ⁤the ⁢excerpts at the KickstART Disability Arts festival.Three invitations followed: England.New zealand.Calgary.

They all asked, “Were⁤ the excerpts from a one-person show?”

“Do you want it to be?” I‍ thought.

What ‍else could I‍ do? Of course I said yes! But I only had a handful of scenes. Nowhere near a full solo show.I had to get writing.

I was buzzing from presenting at KickstART. I was⁢ hooked. I was persistent to find more time to write and be creative.

Shortly after KickstART, my boss from the graphics firm had to lay me off. A ⁢mere coincidence? Or synchron