MAY 19, 2016 7 PM

MEMORIAL OPERA HOUSE

Valparaiso, IN

Our mission is to end the stigma surrounding mental illness by sharing personal stories
of individuals overcoming mental illness through poetry, essay and original music, live
on stage, through stories submitted and published to our blog, and via our YouTube
channel.
Through the sharing of stories and experiences of those in recovery, we provide a
sense of community and hope; and encourage others to share their stories. We believe
that each time one of us shares our story, theres another crack helping to break down
the stigma of mental illness. Right now, it's time to #LiveBrave and bring mental health
issues into the spotlight because they've been in the dark too long.
We believe in the power of community. Theres strength found in people coming
together to propel a movement forward which is why we created our organization.

JENNIFER MARSHALL, CO-FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jenn was diagnosed with Type 1 Bipolar Disorder in 2006
at the age of 26. She's had four hospitalizations within five
years two before any diagnosis was reached, and two
more because she was trying to protect her newborn son
(postpartum psychosis) and her unborn daughter and all
were because she was unmedicated at the time. Writing
her way through life with a mental illness became her way
of healing, and her blog BipolarMomLife has become an
inspiration to many.
Jenn created This Is My Brave because she learned first hand how powerful and
therapeutic it was to live openly and not hide her diagnosis. She wanted to give brave
individuals from the community a platform through which to creatively share their
stories of living with mental illness to educate and inspire others. She lives outside
Washington, DC with her husband and two children.

www.thisismybrave.org

THIS IS MY BRAVE CHICAGOLAND

Pre-show music

Patrick OConnell

Welcome

Becky Jascoviak, Producer

PTSD: Now you see it. Now you dont. Or do you?

Paul Fogleman

Put the Shine On

Laura Guill

Invisible

Kristin Duncan

What Have I Seen?

Jerry Jascoviak

Star Lights

Beth Christie

Just in My Mind

Breanne Pynakker

An Important Conversation

Ben Boruff

Here Comes the Sun, Little Darling

Reflections on Reflections

Lorraine Cooper
Marlon Deleon

It Cant Have Me, part 2

Stephanie Stalbaum

Shedding Skins: 20 Years Later

Battling the Black Dragon

Cathy Osborne
Stephanie Bizzle

Jennys Story

Jenny Gillette

Can You Imagine?

Paige Shimer

Closing Remarks

Becky Jascoviak

Thank you for choosing to #LiveBrave by attending tonights performance.

SPECIAL THANKS .
Angie Lowe and Patrick OConnell for helping with auditions, Memorial
Opera House Staff for great support throughout the entire process,
Community Partners for supporting and sharing this event, Anna
Hanson for headshots, IDT for promotional support, NIETF for bringing
the show to the community, and all of you who #LiveBrave every day
by choosing to walk in the light and stop the stigma of mental illness.

CAST BIOS
STEPHANIE BIZZLE This creative warrior from Gary, IN, is a receptionist and
Administrative assistant by day, and an aspiring writer/artist/actor by night.
When she's not fighting large lizards, and learning obscure trivia, she is
searching for her life's purpose, and hopes it involves glitter.
BEN BORUFF is a high school English teacher in Valparaiso, Indiana. Ben grew
up in Indianapolis and attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.
Ben enjoys cheesecake, Bob Dylan, indie comics, and spending time with his
family. Ben is a proud educator and a grateful son.
BETH CHRISTIE For the better part of my near 60 years of life I have suffered
from one form or another of anxiety, depression and trauma. After a severe
breakdown last year, I am finally JUST receiving help with medication- which
was the long missing element necessary for finding balance from my now
identified mood disorder. No matter what you have been through, its never
too late to find hope, healing and health.
LORRAINE COOPER is a Chicago-based digital marketer by trade and a
dreamer by calling. Some might say shes witty, curious, and fanciful. She
would say shes just trying to learn what it means to be true to herself. When
her head is not stuck in the clouds, youll find her nosing through three to four
books, curating household gadgets that shes not likely to use, trying to keep
her unsolicited opinion to herself, experimenting with something in the
kitchen, and waiting for God to fix her biological clock. Shes always wanted to
be a runner, but hasnt been able to excel past a respectable walk-jog. Good
thing theres still time for always to come to pass.
MARLON DELEON is a first-generation American, raised in California, and a
middle of three children to two Filipino immigrants. After serving on a
submarine and receiving an honorable discharge from the US Navy as a
disabled veteran, he earned a Bachelors degree in Theatre Arts with an
emphasis in directing from California State University, Long Beach before
moving to South Bend, Indiana. His love for adventures, art, and storytelling
has led him to develop two active blogs and writing his first book. Embracing
the concept of #StorytellingSavesLives, he will share some of his story
regarding PTSD, depression, stereotypes, and self-acceptance.

KRISTIN DUNCAN is from Lafayette and works as a therapist for children with
autism. One of her goals is to travel the world again. She has been to 10
different countries and would like to go to 10 more. As someone who was
diagnosed 3 years ago with Bipolar, PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder,
she is still learning how to work toward a healthier life but has come a long
ways. She is excited to be sharing her story publicly for the first time. She
hopes to inspire people to see that mental illness doesnt mean that you have
to be invisible. There is hope.
PAUL FOGLEMAN lives in Bloomington, IN with his family. He is a university
administrator and advises students who are competing for national
scholarships. He was diagnosed with PTSD in 2011 and will talk about his
experience living with PTSD.
JENNY GILLETTE Its hard to believe that almost twenty years ago my life
almost ended in a very catastrophic way. No one knew I suffered from bipolar
disease until it was almost too late. I am now telling my story in hopes that
others will be able to be brave enough to talk about their fears and struggles
and get the help they need before its too late for them.
LAURA GUILL was born in Angola, Indiana, but after graduating from
Valparaiso University with an English teaching degree transplanted to the Gary
region, where she now enjoys living next to the beachthe perfect place to
walk the dog and the 7-year-old son. She loves the academic life and
enthusiastically teaches college freshman composition, having earned her
masters degree a few years ago. Less erudite pursuits include binge watching
Netflix and crocheting (badly), usually at the same time.
JERRY JASCOVIAK Born and raised in the region, Jerry had theatre instilled
into him since birth. He was named after local theatre legend, Jerry Reinhart,
and was mentored by he and his wife, Margilee. Jerry went on to earn his BA in
theatre from Valparaiso University with a minor in Social Work. Since
graduating, Jerry has been on stage in a variety of roles (about 30), directed,
and introduced children to the love of theatre through after school drama at
Immanuel Lutheran School here in Valpo. Playing a character, being someone
else for a few hours is what has helped Jerry walk through his own dark times
of depression, anxiety, and panic. Tonight what you see is all Jerry and all real.

CATHY OSBORNE is a writer, artist and animal lover from Griffith, IN and
Chicago, IL. She is an outpatient therapist who uses the expressive arts and
therapy dogs in her work. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Psychology from
Meridian University in Petaluma, CA. Cathy appreciates humor, the color red,
rocks from the beach, and the Cookie Monster.
BREANNE PYNAKKER just moved back from California and is excited to be
part of the TIMB Chicagoland cast. She's thankful for this opportunity to
combine her interest in theatre with her desire to open up dialogue about
mental illness. Her other interests include writing, singing, biking, and various
forms of artistic expression. She hopes sharing about her experiences will free
others to speak about their own struggles and find safe people in their lives
who can encourage and support them.
PAIGE SHIMER is 17 years old and lives in Valparaiso, Indiana. She's originally
from Memphis, Tennessee where she learned more about Elvis and barbecue
than any one person really needs to know. Her biggest goal at the moment is
to go to college and is excited to announce that she will be a freshman at The
University of Tennessee next fall. Struggling with anxiety and panic since she
was 5, she is incredibly excited for the chance to speak out about her struggle
and hopes it will inspire others to continue to live brave.
STEPHANIE STALBAUM When she is not working, cleaning, acting, cooking,
being a mom, painting or practicing her sweet ninja skills, Stephanie suffers
from anxiety and OCD. She hopes that this show will help others stuck in the
shadows of mental illness.

Maggie Reister Walters, CLU,

ChFC, CLTC
522 East 86tth Avenue,
Merrillville, IN 46410
Office: 219-756-3849
Fax: 219-756-4103
mareister@financialguide.com

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Maggie Reister Walters is a registered representative of and offers securities, investment
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SIPC (www.sipc.org). Supervisory office 900 East 96th Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN
46240 Phone (317)469-9999. Insurance offered through Massachusetts Mutual Life
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