THE ANXIETY PROJECT: ORIGINAL CAST RECORDING
AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE YOU STREAM MUSIC
“Unapologetically candid...The Anxiety Project tackles mental illness holistically.... Nothing is off limits. There is no judgement. Only real and truthful depictions of the darkest corners of the human experience....The [show] feels like a close friend. Bearing its soul without any filters. Sharing the most vulnerable of thoughts and ideas, and welcoming them from the listener in return.”
WHAT IS THE ANXIETY PROJECT?
THE ANXIETY PROJECT is a new musical that explores true stories of contemporary suffering, loss, struggle, alienation, friendship, brokenness, love, hate, and everything that comes with anxiety and depression disorders and other mental illnesses. The show combats the last great stigma and gives voice to the people who live it - using the actual words of those for whom this disease is a large part of their lives. At once poignant and touching, this new musical explores the effects of mental illness on our collective minds - and how ignoring it leaves ripples in our social existence.
YEAH, BUT WHAT'S THE STORY ABOUT?
Psychology student Avery is in her final semester of undergraduate studies, and in just a few short weeks, she will earn her degree and be one step closer to the ultimate goal of opening her own practice. That's assuming she finishes her thesis - a study of the mechanics of mental illness and how science can change lives. Case after case, Avery becomes immersed in the lives of these patients - the day to day struggles of anxiety, depression, suicide, medication. But when one of the cases hits very close to home, Avery realizes that numbers only tell part of the story of mental illness.
HOW WAS THE SHOW WRITTEN?
In 2014, Rachel Dean (composer) and David Brush (librettist/lyricist) began The Anxiety Project – a weekly blog series in association with Ryan Scott Oliver’s Crazytown Artist Asylum Blog. We asked for submissions of personal anecdotes about dealing with mental disease, and we received letters, poems and stories from all over the country that were nothing short of brave. In many ways, anxiety and depression is the last great social stigma, making the depth and personal nature of these stories all the more poignant in their openness and honesty. We knew we wanted to develop a unique theatrical avenue to tell their stories. The process began with songs that were released weekly on the blog. We developed each story we received into specific musical and theatrical moments. The result was a work which we feel has tremendous honesty and importance.
HOW ABOUT THE SONGS? IS THERE A RECORDING?
There is! THE ANXIETY PROJECT: ORIGINAL CAST RECORDING is available now on Spotify, Amazon, Apple and everywhere you stream!
“Bold, dramatic and wonderfully introspective …resonates with a timely ripped-from-the-headlines depth that makes for an unforgettable theatrical experience””
OK - I'M CONVINCED! WHERE CAN I SEE THE SHOW??
Under new licensing, AP played Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and was subsequently chosen as an official main stage selection for the Iowa Thespian Festival in 2023. Prior to that, AP returned to the Midwest in an all-new dance-inspired production from with Alter Castle Players in Dayton, OH - directed and choreographed by the incredible Megan Wean-Sears. The show recently received a cast recording in partnership with students and faculty at Arizona State University, which is available everywhere you stream music. More news to come soon!
MY UNIVERSITY/HIGH SCHOOL/THEATRE WANTS TO PERFORM THE SHOW! IS IT AVAILABLE FOR LICENSING?
Yes ! Full licensing is NOW available through UPROAR THEATRICS - join our family of cities!
“The music and lyrics are a driving force to why THE ANXIETY PROJECT lands - humor...with fear, doubt, love and forgiveness. It takes the onlooker into a whirlwind of emotions and helps you understand - even for a second - how these survivors survive.”