The Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival will be visiting two CSD schools to share performances of “Every Brilliant Thing” with the Canyons community. The international play draws on warmth, hope and gentle humor to illuminate the effects of suicide, and is being featured by the Festival as the first non-Shakespearean production its cast will perform, in an effort to help communities address this difficult subject.
The production is travelling to high schools throughout Utah, thanks to generous sponsors of the Utah Shakespeare Festival, providing performances free-of-charge to anyone who attends. A performance will take place in the auditorium at Jordan High School at 7 p.m. on Jan. 30, and a second performance will take place in the main auditorium at Corner Canyon High School at 7 p.m. on Feb. 6.
Both performances will have CSD school counselors available to speak to anyone who needs extra support after the show is over.
“It’s a really hopeful show for people who have encountered depression in their family, or their own lives,” said Jordan High drama teacher Suzie Duval. “This is another opportunity for us to keep space for parents, children and peers to talk about: When students are struggling, who do you talk to, and what are the resources to help you cope when you may be feeling down or having those negative thoughts?”
The one-character play addresses the effects of depression and suicide, as experienced by son and playwright Duncan Macmillan, who was inspired to brighten his mother’s days by writing post-it notes with the brilliant things that make life worth living, such as, ice cream or water fights. Macmillan’s message in “Every Brilliant Thing” is that no matter how dark life may be, it may not be brilliant but it will get better.
Information about social and emotional supports available for Canyons District students can be found on the District’s homepage.