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 Black, twelve-year-old 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

Pleas click the CC button below to select English or Spanish (do not select English - autogenerated).

EDUCATOR/PARENT SURVEY

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