Exploring Mental Health and Social Issues Through the Arts – October 6

Jewish Family Service of San Antonio (JFS), Rise Recovery, and David’s Legacy Foundation are raising the curtain on mental health and social justice issues by hosting a candid conversation with Tony award-winning producer Rachel Weinstein. The event, Exploring Mental Health and Social Issues Through the Arts will be held online Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. Central Time.

Talli Dolge, CEO of JFS, said that theater has evolved to take into consideration how real people feel, as opposed to just entertaining an audience.

“Theater and the arts bring a human element to modern issues, such as mental health,” said Dolge. “Musical theater is opening the door for the audience to see that these characters are just people. We’re all humans with flaws.”

Weinstein has produced various Broadway shows facing these challenging issues, such as:

  • Dear Evan Hansen, a musical about a teen who struggles with social anxiety disorder while dealing with a fellow student’s death by suicide.
  • To Kill A Mocking Bird, a play that confronts the social issues of racism and coming of age.
  • Jagged Little Pill, a new musical based on Alanis Morrissette’s music that addresses social issues such as opioid addiction, sexual assault, bisexuality, and race.

During the intimate conversation, Weinstein will answer why she chose to work on Broadway shows with such challenging issues, as well as the importance of discussing these topics through art.

This is your invitation to join a discussion on the beauty of art in theater during a challenging time. To register for the free event, visit www.jfs-sa.org/specialevents.