The success of its San Francisco Bay Area premier, and fan’s popular demand has commanded a repeat performance of Totally Led Ministries’ inspirational gospel stage play “For Every Mountain.” On Saturday, May 4th and Sunday, May 5, 2013 the beautifully remodeled El Cerrito Theater, 540 Ashbury Avenue, El Cerrito, CA, is set to host talented Bay Area actors, musicians and vocalists in this outstanding depiction of a modern day “Job” who is facing mental and emotional issues in today’s society.
Presented by Grace Baptist Church and Totally Led Ministries, “For Every Mountain” was written and is directed by veteran Bay Area playwright and director Beverly Brown. Job was a man in the bible who faced tremendous loss and a great trying of his faith. Through an unimaginable mental and emotional journey with his Maker, Job emerged stronger and with everything in his life multiplied. He is often credited with teaching us the “Patience of Job.”
“For Every Mountain” is an impactful and uplifting stage production with edgy, provocative and sometimes humorous dialogue that addresses the serious issues of mental and emotional disorders, along with soul-stirring gospel songs and music,” commented co-producer Pastor Charles L. Hopkins (Grace Baptist Church, Oakland, CA). Bay Area Christian comedian Jared “J-Red” Walton will be on-hand to add a lighter, comedic air to both evenings.
Mental Health Resource Fair
In addition to live performances, a Mental Health Resource Fair will take place in the lobby of the theater on both days of the production. Professional representatives from Kaiser Permanente, Berkeley Christian Counselors, Family Education and Resource Center of Alameda County, Mental Health Friendly Congregations, and Family Paths of Alameda County will be on hand to distribute resource literature, answer questions, and make referrals.
“Tri-Cities Community Development Center is fully engaged in illuminating stigma and improving mental health outcomes for African American consumers and family members–one congregation at a time,” said the organization’s president and CEO, Pastor Horacio Jones. The senior pastor of Family Bible Fellowship in Newark, CA continued, “Through our innovative collaboration with Alameda County Behavior Health Care Services we are partnering with African American churches to develop Mental Health Friendly Congregation (MHFC). We are supporting the timely, relevant and cutting edge play “For Every Mountain.” This must-see play addresses community, societal and personal stigma and how through faith the mountains of shame, guilt and denial must come down.”
“Family Paths is excited to team up with Totally Led Ministries for the Mental Health Resource Fair. For over 40 years we’ve provided mental health counseling and supportive services to children, parents and families in Alameda County,” said Kim Cohn Wilks, MFT, RDT/BCT, Psychotherapist and program coordinator for Family Paths, Inc. “We strive to serve our community with respect, integrity, compassion and hope in everything that we do, from our 24-hour parent support hotline, to providing current resources and trauma-informed practices to our clients.”
“I am intimately familiar with mental illness and emotional challenges,” commented Brown’s long-time friend and publicist Toni Beckham. “Several family members, including myself, have been diagnosed and treated for affective, personality, anxiety or organic mental disorders. Identification, proper drugs and/or psychological counseling are almost always required treatment to ensure one’s affective behaviors and symptoms are minimized. Medication and psychological counseling therapy can lead to wondrous results, enabling the individuals to live as normal life as possible for self-sustainment and lessoning of negative or harmful behavioral effects on loved ones and the general public.”
Due to its openness and accuracy, Beckham’s article, “Mental Illness: A First Hand Look,” was published in the “Alliance Star,” a periodic journal produced by the “Alliance for Community Care”—then a San Jose, CA-based community organization that provided treatment, rehabilitation and services to individuals recovering from emotional and mental illness.
Tickets:
Tickets for the play are now available. General seating is $25 per person. Children (age 15 and under) $15 at the door only. Group rates for ten or more persons are discounted to $22 per person. For ticket information, visit www.totallyled.org or contact Beverly Brown at (510) 677-7046 | sistahbev@sbcglobal.net.
View “For Every Mountain” PROMOTIONAL VIDEO at www.totallyled.org
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