Brock University’s Department of Dramatic Arts (DART) is exploring the world of addiction and mental health to bring a compelling story of struggle and hope to the stage.

People, Places and Things, written by British playwright Duncan Macmillan and directed by DART Associate Professor Danielle Wilson, opens Friday, Nov. 6 at the Marilyn I. Walker Theatre in downtown St. Catharines.

When Wilson first read the play a decade ago, she was struck by its brilliance and immediately knew she wanted to bring the story to life. First performed in 2015 at the National Theatre in London, United Kingdom, the play is acclaimed for its portrayal of substance abuse and mental health.

“People, Places and Things is just as relevant now as it was 10 years ago. All we have to do is look around our own communities, and across Canada, to see the reach of addiction. This play provides an opportunity to open discussion on a difficult topic,” she says.

Both dark and humorous, Brock’s production takes audiences on a physical and theatrical journey through the main character Emma’s detox, denial and relapse as well as and the struggle to recover her mental and physical health.

Embodied storytelling is central to the production, with movement choreographed by theatre artist Trevor Copp used to highlight Emma’s mental, emotional and physical state.

For Wilson, that approach makes the piece true theatre — a story that can only ever be fully told on stage.

“The playwright understands movement and how it adds complexity to a scene. Rather than telling us how the characters are feeling, we experience their inner state through their movements and physicality,” she says.

The creative process of mounting the production — from script analysis, staging, lighting, wardrobe and building the set — has created a safe space for students to explore the impact of addiction on individuals and communities.

“There can be a lot of judgement, but now we might have a second thought about what may be going on in a person’s life that has led them to that place when we encounter someone experiencing addition,” says Wilson, who invited community members with lived experience of addiction to share their stories with students.

For fourth-year DART student Jenna Fortier who plays the lead role of Emma, understanding the lives of the characters reminds them that everyone has their own story.

“Addiction isn’t rare and isn’t indicative of some moral failure. These are people who are trying to survive a complicated world — I wonder when society decided to replace support with shame,” Fortier said.

“I am so grateful for the courageous people who’ve shared their most painful, vulnerable and triumphant moments with our cast. This has supported us in telling their stories with the care and respect that it deserves,” says second-year DART student and mainstage actor Deborah Howey.

Implementing wellness practices and ensuring students are supported while engaging with difficult subject matter have been a top priority for Wilson.

“This process has helped us all build kindness and empathy. What makes this play so brilliant is that it also has humour and lightness in it — we cannot always sit in the dark.”

People, Places and Things opens Friday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Marilyn I. Walker Theatre in the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts in downtown St. Catharines. Performances will also take place Saturday, Nov 7 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

General admission tickets are $25 and tickets for students and seniors are $20. Visit Brock University Tickets to reserve seats.