For one night only, stars unite in Sydney for Entertainment Assist

On Monday 21 November, a dazzling array of Australian entertainment industry stars will come together in response to the shocking new figures detailing the widespread mental health issues currently faced by industry workers at all levels. Out From Under, which began in Melbourne in 2015, will aim to removing the stigma surrounding mental health within the entertainment industry.

The rate of suicide amongst artists is more than double that of the general population. Funds raised from this event will help Entertainment Assist support the mental health of Australian entertainment industry workers.

Debra Byrne at Out From Under 2015
Debra Byrne at Out From Under 2015

The event will take place at Sydney’s Seymour Centre York Theatre, Directed by Kelley Abbey and hosted by Gorgi Coghland, with musical direction by Luke Hunter and musical supervision by Chong Lim. The evening will feature performances from some of Australia’s best artists, as well as talks from psychologists and other leaders in mental health.

Performers on the night include Debra Byrne, Silvie Paladino, Rob Mills, Lucy Durack, Amy Campbell, Ben Abraham, Casey Donovan, Ainsley Melham, Loren Hunter, Michael James Scott, Heather Mitchell, Rachael Beck, Damien Leith, The Tap Pack, and DrummerQueens.

A round table conversation about mental health will also be included in Out From Under, with panelists including psychologists Jocelyn Penna and Julie Crabtree. Penna is a psychologist who is committed to assisting people in high pressure environments to manage challenges, experience life balance and perform. She works with professional ballerinas, dance companies, actors, musicians and athletes. Julie Crabtree has over 25 years’ experience as a corporate staff psychologist and is now working in private practice specialising in issues associated with creative artists.

image006Producer of Out From Under and Managing Director of Matthew Management, Matthew Henderson says: Watching a friend’s struggle and my inability to assist and help, I decided it was time to begin an open dialogue about the issue of mental health within our industry.

“The statistics about anxiety, depression and suicide are staggering, and my hope for Out From Under is to begin a process where we are more aware of each other and more informed to do something to help.”

Out From Under is at the Seymour Centre on Monday 21 November only, from 7:30pm. Tickets are $55.00 and available from  ticketmaster.com.au or seymourcentre.com. Follow the concert @OutFromUnderOz

Cassie Tongue

Cassie is a theatre critic and arts writer in Sydney, and was the deputy editor of AussieTheatre. She has written for The Guardian, Time Out Sydney, Daily Review, and BroadwayWorld Australia. She is a voter for the Sydney Theatre Awards.

Cassie Tongue

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