A WORLD PREMIERE BY DEE-DEE DARBY-DUFFIN

VIDEO-ON-DEMAND

Twelfth Annual Free Elementary School Tour serving students in grades 4-6 statewide

Created specifically for grades 4-6, EllaMental centers on Ella, a sixth-grader struggling to make sense of her Big Feelings from the pandemic—grief, loss, fear, and anger—in a post-pandemic world.

EllaMental engages students in an accessible, real-time, comforting conversation, one as barrier-free as possible, one that instantly invites students to live inside the play rather than searching for a way in.

Instructive without feeling preachy, EllaMental provides a much more chill experience than students in grades 4-6 might expect: one that is natural, aspirational, and even inspirational.

Read on for details on Core Standards and Intended Learning Outcomes, how to bring EllaMental to your school, and public performances.

CAST & CREATIVE

Playwright: Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin
Actors: Noelani Brown, Talia Heiss, Mak Milord, and Taylor Wallace
Director: Jerry Rapier
Designer: Arika Schockmel
Education Coordinator: Sharah Meservy
Education Liaison: Penelope Caywood
Tour Manager: Kallie Filanda

CORE STANDARDS & SEL OUTCOMES

Core Standards in English Language Arts, Health Education, Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts are integrated into the script and study guide, alongside Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Outcomes: Manage Your Emotions, Feel & Show Empathy for Others, Establish & Maintain Positive Relationships, and Self-Advocate.

INTENDED LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After experiencing EllaMental and its accompanying study guide, students will:

  • understand and empathize with peers who are coping with stress and change.
  • discuss and reflect upon current events and their impact on individual lives.
  • gain awareness of mental health and related stigma.
  • develop skills for coping with difficult emotions.
  • understand dramatic texts, including character development and plot.
  • use theatre and interactive activities to explore and express emotions.

CLOSED CAPTIONING

This is going to seem counterintuitive, but please do not select the CC icon below. Instead, click the Settings icon below, then select CC/Subtitles, then select English or Spanish.

EDUCATOR/PARENT SURVEY

Please complete this brief survey after watching EllaMental and using the study guide below.