Every Brilliant Thing is a joyful play about an uncomfortable and often taboo topic. Depression isn’t easy to talk about. It stays hidden, confined to the dark corners of our minds, left unspoken because of so many different societal and cultural stigmas. EBT challenges us to ask, why? Why can’t we discuss depression in the light of day? Why can’t we have these discussions, openly, honestly and yes, even with humor? The answer is that we can, if we make the space for it, if we examine our false ideas of what it means to be depressed. Depression is not a weakness, in fact, living with the disease requires a great deal of strength. People with depression don’t require pity or for us to wear kid’s glove, actually, these tactics will often quickly make them feel alienated or othered. What we can do is listen, empathize, and be there when needed.
With EBT, Duncan Macmillan dares us as an audience to not only look at the subject matter in a new way, but also to engage with it in a way we haven’t before. By using the audience as characters within the story Macmillan has removed the barrier between performer and audience and made it “our” story. And it is our story. It’s what makes Every Brilliant Thing so popular. Everyone has experience with depression either directly, or through a family member or close friend. That is why it is so hard to talk about openly. It is also the reason we need to be able to talk about it. So that everyone can realize that they aren’t alone in dealing with these issues. There’s no shame in battling depression and certainly none in seeking out help when it is needed.
Our Narrator points out that depression is different for everyone. There are many different types of depression and diagnoses. How his mother experienced depression is not how The Narrator does. There are similarities, but also differences and we must understand that there is not a universal treatment for depression. Treatments need to be as personalized and individual as the people receiving it. Macmillan also reminds us that success is a moving target. Depression isn’t something to be cured, but managed. Expecting otherwise is unrealistic and creates unnecessary pressure.
The way that our narrator chooses to deal with his depression is by reminding himself of all the wonderful parts of life. His list of Every Brilliant Thing. The list is a celebration. It’s a recognition of what in this world is worth sticking around for, and my goodness is there a lot. As part of my research into this project I began work on my own list. The narrator and myself shared quite a few, but most of my list were personal things that I find joy in. I will keep my list to myself, but I invite you to go home and make a list of your own. Start with the easy ones. First things that pop into your head. Eventually you will come to a point where it will get difficult to come up with something new. Push on and you will once again come to a point where the ideas just pour out. With each thing you will remember a bit of the joy that inspired you to write it down. It’s a wonderful way to remind yourself that even in as crazy a time as we are living in now, the majority of “things” are still “Brilliant”.
Come to the show! Enjoy. Engage. Think. Play. Laugh. Afterwards if you have any questions, we will have a talk back where we can discuss anything that you might have on your mind. Finally, if you or anyone you know is looking for some help you can always contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
Cory Lawson, Director of Every Brilliant Thing.