Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality brought the Acting for the Future performance and post-show panel discussion to a range of schools in Waterford, Kilkenny, and Tipperary throughout November 2024. On Monday, 11 November, we were in De La Salle, Newtown Road Lower, Waterford; on Tuesday, 12 November, we were in Newtown Secondary School, Newtown Road, Newtown, Waterford and Mercy Waterford, Ozanam Street, Waterford; on Monday, 18 November, we were in Abbey Community College, Abbeylands, Co. Kilkenny; and on Tuesday, 19 November, we were in Ursuline Waterford, Ballytruckle Road, Ballytruckle, Waterford and Scoil Mhuire, Carrick-on-Suir. For all school visits, the actor was Ben Waddell, the counsellor Eimear Burke, and Carmen Ortiz Victorino as facilitator, with the Samaritans also involved.
Acting for the Future uses a professional theatre performance and participative post-show panel discussions to promote positive mental health and raise awareness of suicide prevention with secondary schools across Ireland. Furthermore, a counsellor is available to talk in follow-up discussion. As part of this project, young people develop a stronger awareness of the issues – positive mental health and suicide prevention – through a quality arts experience.
The professional theatre performance for Acting for the Future is the highly acclaimed A Day Out by Paul Kennedy from Testimonies by Mary Moynihan and Paul Kennedy. Testimonies features a collection of dramatic monologues inspired by the real-life experiences of individuals who have lost loved ones to suicide or who have survived suicidal crises. A Day Out by Paul Kennedy tells the story of two friends in their twenties and their last day together. It is directed by Bairbre Ní Chaoimh and performed by Ben Waddell.
An information pack containing resource material for follow-up work and an information leaflet on positive mental health and suicide prevention are distributed to the teachers before each event. The presence of professionals from the field of mental health during the performances and panel discussion, and the quality of the work and its success with young people are what make this project an example of best practice.
This block of Acting for the Future is supported by the HSE and the Samaritans Waterford and South East, and is implemented in collaboration with the Samaritans Waterford and South East as partner organisations. The project coordinator is Freda Manweiler, who works with a team of artists and health practitioners, including clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, and counsellors.