“I still have a mental illness - some days, it still hampers my functioning. But it takes up so much less space in my head than it used to. Now that I have my art to infuse my life with motivation and inspiration, my point-of-view has changed. I see myself in a much more positive, optimistic light. The most important thing I have learned through my experiences at Workman is this: Show me a person with mental illness and I'll show you a person with mental illness. Show me an artist with mental illness and I'll show you an artist.”

- Melissa Bender, Visual Artist, Workman Arts Member

Workman Arts, an integrated theatre company, believes that drama can serve as a powerful vehicle through which theories and ideas that are difficult to understand and appreciate may become crystallized. Members and audiences can easily identify with the authentic stories told through Workman Arts theatrical projects and productions and these stories often elicit strong emotional reactions. Members routinely feel that they have to hide their problems, but by being able to discuss see their challenges in a theatre workshop setting or see their problems addressed on the stage gives a great deal of support to face the difficult journey toward healing.

Read our catalogue to learn more about Member Theatre Training.