TIMB-SYWTProdShow-09

SO YOU WANT TO 

PRODUCE A SHOW 

www.thisismybrave.org 

@thisismybrave

DEAR FRIEND, 

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INTEREST IN PRODUCING A SHOW! 

What a journey it has been since This Is My Brave produced its very first show in Arlington, Virginia, in 2014. We could 

not have imagined at that time that we would go on to produce over 90 more shows over the next nine years, in 

over 50 cities across the U.S. and in Australia. Story by story, This Is My Brave is shining a light on mental illness and 

addiction and helping end the stigma that has so long surrounded these issues. 

No one could have ever imagined what 2020 had in store for us. To say it was an extremely difficult year would be an 

understatement. On the other hand, 2020 presented us with an unexpected gift of time. We used this time to reflect 

as an organization on where we’ve been and on where we’d like to be in the future. 

Our mission at This Is My Brave has always been to empower individuals to put their names and their faces to their 

personal stories of recovery from mental illness and addiction. In 2020, we asked ourselves, “Are we doing enough to 

carry out this mission or is there a way to do it better?” The answer was clear -- we can do better! We still have so 

much work to do to change the way the world understands and talks about mental illness. 

In the past nine years, This Is My Brave has produced, on average, 10 shows per year. We realize now, to have the 

impact we desire, we need to dramatically increase the number of shows in production across the country so that 

many more people have the spotlight to share their stories and give hope to others. Imagine how great our impact 

will be when we double or triple our annual production! This will give new meaning to one of our favorite sayings, 

“Brave multiplies Brave.” 

To accomplish this new goal of scaling up, we turn to dedicated volunteers like you to 

share our message and start a Brave movement in your area. In partnership, This Is 

My Brave, Inc. will equip you with everything you and your team need to create a 

successful Brave event -- and Brave community -- in your city. 

Every time a story is told — every time we shine a light on mental illness 

and addiction — we let someone know that they are not alone. This Is My 

Brave offers the gift of hope and a sense of community based on shared 

experiences to people who need it most. 

There are millions more stories to be shared, and we hope that some 

of them will be shared in your city. This booklet provides you with an 

overview to getting started. Thank you for your interest in joining us 

on this journey. 

Sincerely, 

Erin Gallagher, 

Interim Executive Director 

2

What Is This Is My Brave? 

This Is My Brave is a movement that empowers individuals to put their names 

and their faces to their true stories of recovery from mental illness and/ 

or addiction. We do this through live storytelling events in cities across the 

country called This Is My Brave - The Show. Each production of This Is My Brave 

- The Show features its own cast of local individuals who tell their stories in 

a creative way -- through personal essay, spoken word poetry, original song, 

maybe even stand-up comedy or dance. 

No two productions of This Is My Brave - The Show have ever been the same 

in terms of cast members and stories shared. Despite their differences, our 

research indicates that, overall, our shows are impactful in our mission to 

reduce stigma associated with mental illness and addiction. 

The Brave Way 

To multiply our impact, This Is My Brave, Inc. has developed a training system called 

the Brave Way in order to equip more teams across the country to do Brave work in 

their communities. The Brave Way is our unique method for re-creating the magical 

experience of our very first Brave show in Arlington, Virginia, in 2014. 

The Brave Way includes step-by-step guidance in every detail of producing a Brave show, 

from production team development to community-building to event planning. 

The Brave Way also offers an in-depth orientation to the transformative 

principles and practices that make This Is My Brave - The Show 

a one-of-a-kind mental health storytelling event. 


@thisismybrave 

3

04 

Table of Contents 

From Idea to BRAVE Show Timeline 

06 Phases of Production Live Show 

07 Phases of Production Virtual Show 

04 Importance of a Team 

08 Job Description: Production Team Lead 

10 Job Description: Fundraising Manager 

11 Job Description: PR/Marketing Coordinator 

12 Job Description: Media Partnership Manager 

14 Job Description: Mental Health Professional 

15 Job Description: Fidelity Partner 

16 Job Description: Show Director 

18 Pillars of TIMB Theory of Change 

24 So You Want to Produce a Show 

From Idea to BRAVE Show 

1 

Pre-Training Period 

• Build Brave Buzz 

• Build Brave Team 

• Enlist Sponsors and 

Community Support 

8-10 months pre-show 

4

2 

• Training 

Training of Production Team 

• Team-building Event 

• Team Pledges 

3 

Brave Show Production 

• Auditions 

• Rehearsals 

• Show Logistics 

4 

6-7 months pre-show 5 months pre-show YOUR SHOW 



5

Phases of Production - Live Show: 

Pre-Training (flexible) 

Review “So You Want to Produce a Show” 

Form Production Team 

Finalize Show Details 

Size/Scale of Show 

Designate Fiscal Partner/Community Beneficiary 

Secure License/Training Fee 

Identify Additional Sponsors (it’s good to have at least $5000 at this point) 

Book Theater 

Training (4-5 weeks) 

Gather Production Team Members for team-building event 

Meet Weekly as a team for online modular training 

Create Show Production Timeline 

Book venues for show, audition and rehearsals 

Production (4 months) 

Hold Auditions 

Conduct Rehearsals 

Sell Sponsorships, Advertising and Tickets 

Encourage P2P Fundraising among cast 

Host your Brave Show 

6

Phases of Production - Virtual Show: 

Pre-Training (flexible) 

Review “So You Want to Produce a Show” 

Form Production Team 

Finalize Show Details 

Size/Scale of Show 

Designate Fiscal Partner/Community Beneficiary 

Secure License/Training Fee 

Identify Additional Sponsors (it’s good to have at least $5000 at this point) 

Training (4-5 weeks) 

Gather Production Team Members for team-building event 

Meet Weekly as a team for online modular training 

Create Show Production Timeline 

Production (4 months) 

Hold Auditions 

Conduct Rehearsals 

Record Performances 

Compile Show Video 

Sell Sponsorships, Advertising and Tickets 

Encourage P2P Fundraising among cast 

Host your Virtual Brave Show 

Ask about our Hybrid Production option! 



7

Importance of a Team 

A strong team of at least seven individuals (including one Mental 

Health Professional) is required to bring This Is My Brave - The Show 

to your city. Use the job descriptions that are listed in the following 

pages to identify well-qualified and committed candidates to 

complete your team. 

It is important to note that you should build your team with 

individuals from varying networks in your area. This way, you will 

maximize your reach in your community as a team and be able to 

draw prospective cast members, sponsors, supporters and ticket 

buyers from those groups. 

8

“This Is My Brave was one of the most moving 

and inspirational experiences I’ve ever had. 

It reminded me that mental illness doesn’t 

discriminate... it affects all people, everywhere.“ 

Thana Pavelic, 2018 NYC Storyteller 



9

Production Team Lead 

JOB DESCRIPTION 

The Production Team Lead directs the efforts of the production team for This Is My Brave - The Show in 

your city, overseeing team recruitment, team meetings, team progress, and team tasks and timelines. 

Term limit is usually two years. 

Qualifications: 

• Commitment to the mission of This Is My Brave, Inc. 

• Commitment to the pillars of This Is My Brave, Inc.’s Theory of Change 

• Knowledge of the local community 

• Strong leadership and communication skills 

• Strong time management skills 

• Completed Training 

Responsibilities: 

At all times: 

Uphold our Brave Pillars - the non-negotiables that are necessary to produce the desired outcomes 

of This Is My Brave (you will learn about these in training) 

• It is alot to stand up and be Brave! Those who choose to do so must be affirmed and supported 

at all times by our volunteer production team. 

Build Brave buzz 

• To honor the work of our storytellers, the production team must spread the word about the 

show. The Brave efforts of our storytellers cannot go unnoticed! As a member of the production 

team, you have the important responsibility of building Brave buzz within your community. Let 

everyone you meet know about this event! Do it for the storytellers! 

In addition: 

• Review So You Want to Produce a Show. 

• Recruit Production Team members whose skill sets align with the job descriptions. 

• Host Production Team team-building event. 

• Coordinate Production Team Training. 

• Complete all Production Team Training Modules as provided by This Is My Brave, Inc. 

• Collect Production Team agreements and “pledges” and file on This Is My Brave, Inc google drive. 

• Facilitate weekly/bi-weekly This Is My Brave [your city] Production Team meetings 

10

• Together with Production team: 

• Identify local Fiscal Partner 

• Determine monetary goals for the event, including 

• Sponsorship targets 

• Ticket Sale targets 

• Playbill Advertising targets 

• Establish event date and time (in consideration of the Recommended timeline included in this document) 

• Agree to the Timeline of Tasks (see master spreadsheet) 

• Schedule This Is My Brave [your city] Production Team meetings on a weekly/bi-weekly basis 

• Guide the This Is My Brave [your city] Production Team in accomplishing goals and objectives. 

• Monitor progress of the Production Team to ensure show and fundraising tasks are completed. 

• Act as event spokesperson where needed. 

• Write correspondence, including event thank you notes as needed. 

• Help with team recruitment, sponsorship, and other big decisions where needed. 

• Hold wrap-up meeting for This Is My Brave [your city] Production Team following the event. 

Support Provided: 

• This Is My Brave Academy Modular Training, This Is My Brave Handbook, resources and branded material 

in This Is My Brave, Inc. google drive and on-call support of This Is My Brave, Inc. Program Manager 

Estimated Time Commitment: 

• 5-10 hours per week for approximately 6 months 

10-hour Training 

Orientation that is Inspirational and Motivational 

Our training will orient you toward our overarching Brave themes, the non-negotiables 

that must be in place for this project to achieve our intended goals. 

Weekly Meetings 

Structured for collaboration, goal-setting and accountability 

Personal Time • Complete tasks associated with your position 

• Follow through on action items that may arise from weekly meetings 

• Meet one-on-one with others on the production team to collaborate on specific goals 

• Spread the word about Brave among your network to build awareness and generate 

support for and about the event 



11

Fundraising Manager 


The Fundraising Manager directs the efforts of the fundraising team for This Is My Brave - The Show in your 

city, overseeing the efforts to generate Sponsorships, Advertising Revenue, P2P Funds and Ticket Sales. 






• Strong connections within the community 

• A background in sales or fundraising is preferred 


At all times: 

Uphold our Brave Pillars - the non-negotiables that are necessary to produce the desired 

outcomes of This Is My Brave 




• To honor the work of our storytellers, the production team must spread the word about the 




In addition: 

• Identify, recruit and secure This Is My Brave [your city] sponsorships, advertising, P2P funds and 

ticket sales that achieve the monetary goals established by the team. 


• Recruit Fundraising Team members whose skill sets align with this job description (could build a team 

as large as 3-4 people in order to spearhead efforts in each fundraising area) 

• Attend Production Team team-building event. 


• Complete Production Team agreements and “pledge” 

• Monitor the progress of the Fundraising team to ensure fundraising tasks are completed and that 

progress towards fundraising goals is being made 

• Coordinate a regrouping of efforts should fundraising targets begin to slide 

• Attend Weekly/Bi-Weekly Production Team meetings 

• Facilitate (at least once during Productions, in coordination with other Team members) This Is My 

Brave [your city] Production Team meetings 


• 5-10 hours per week -- see chart in producer description on page 11 

12

PR/Marketing Coordinator 

The PR and Marketing Coordinator is responsible for the promotions of the This Is My Brave - The Show within 

your city and surrounding communities. This encompasses news --TV, Radio and Print -- social media and 

(when appropriate) distribution of printed promotional materials including posters/postcards/flyers 






• Strong connections with news people and social influencers 

• A background in PR or marketing is preferred 


At all times: 



• It is alot to stand up and be Brave! Those who choose to do so must be affirmed and supported at all 

times by our volunteer production team. 


• To honor the work of our storytellers, the production team must spread the word about the show. 

The Brave efforts of our storytellers cannot go unnoticed! As a member of the production team, 

you have the important responsibility of building Brave buzz within your community. Let everyone 

you meet know about this event! Do it for the storytellers! 

In addition: 


• Identify and target various news, radio and digital outlets for coverage of This Is My Brave [your city] 

• (optional) Recruit PR/Marketing team members whose skill sets align with this job description 

• Promo Material Coordinator - Will coordinate the design and distribution of Audition and Ticket Flyers 




• Ensure that PR/Marketing efforts is working to achieve the stated goals 

• Coordinate with the Producer on a regrouping of efforts should 

PR/Marketing targets begin to slide 


• Facilitate (at least once during Productions, in coordination with other 

Team members) This Is My Brave [your city] Production Team meetings 


• 5-10 hours per week -- see chart in producer description on page 11 


Tips: Make invitations to local VIPS - 

mayor, city council members or members 

of local government (board of supervisors, 

for example), reps from community 

foundations with an interest in mental 

health, hospital orgs, mental health 

facilities / large practices 



13

Media Partnership Manager 


The Media Partnership Manager is responsible for making connections with Media Partners in the 

community. Media Partners agree to promote This Is My Brave - The Show in their circles in exchange 

for similar promotions of their events among ours. 

Example Media Partners to consider: 

• Local NAMI (Nat’l Alliance of Mental Illness) Chapter 

• Local AFSP (American Foundation of Suicide Prevention) Chapter 

• Hospital Centers 

• Large Mental Health Service Practices / Facilities 

Benefits of to Media Partners: 

• Tabling opportunity at our event 

• Mention in our materials - Playbill, and digital versions of the show, 

social media mentions by This Is My Brave, Inc. 





• Strong connections with news people and social influencers 

• A background in PR or marketing is preferred 


At all times: 






• To honor the work of our storytellers, the production team must spread the wordabout the 




14

In addition: 


• Identify and target various Media Partners for coverage of This Is My Brave [your city] 

• (optional) Recruit Media Partner team members whose skill sets align with this job description 




• Ensure that Media Partnership efforts are working to achieve the stated goals 

• Coordinate with the Producer on a regrouping of efforts should Media Partnership targets begin to slide 


• Facilitate (at least once during Productions, in coordination with other Team members) This Is My Brave 

[your city] Production Team meetings 


• 5-10 hours a week 



15

Mental Health Professional 


This Is My Brave recognizes that storytelling related to mental health and/or addiction, 

while empowering, may produce a strong emotional response in the storyteller or the 

listener. The Production team’s Mental Health Professional is present at all meetings and 

cast gatherings to support individuals who may feel overcome by their Brave experience. 




• Professional licensure 

• Ability to be in attendance at all cast events, show and production team meetings 


Responsibilities: 






• Attend all cast events and be prepared to support individuals who may be struggling 


• Up to 5 hours per week 

16

Fidelity Coordinator 

The role of the Fidelity Coordinator is to work closely with the Production Team Lead to ensure that 

This Is My Brave, Inc.’s non-negotiables (the 5 pillars of the TOC) are being upheld by the production 

team. To verify, you will check in with the Production team and cast members throughout the 

production of the show via survey to ensure that they are experiencing those elements. 

In addition the Fidelity Coordinator ensures proper use of branded material and adherence by 

all to event specifications. 




• Attention to Detail 

• Strong Communication skills 

At all times: 



• It is alot to stand up and be Brave! Those who choose to do so must be affirmed 

and supported at all times by our volunteer production team. 


• To honor the work of our storytellers, the production team must spread the word about 

the show. The Brave efforts of our storytellers cannot go unnoticed! As a member of the 

production team, you have the important responsibility of building Brave buzz within your 

community. Let everyone you meet know about this event! Do it for the storytellers! 

In addition: 






• Attend all cast events 

• Survey Production team and cast members about their experiences before, 

during and after the production process 

• Oversee application of all branded Brave material in accordance with This Is My Brave, Inc. 

Branding Guidelines 

• Ensure adherence to all This Is My Brave, Inc. event specifications as outlined in the Team Handbook 


• Up to 5 hours per week 




17

Show Director 


The Show Director is responsible for all aspects of the show itself. The Show Director will work 

closely with the Team lead to ensure the highest quality production of This Is My Brave - The Show. 




• Experience in producing/directing live performances 

In Addition: 

• Coordinate with the Team Lead to schedule and direct auditions and rehearsals, 

• Individually coach cast members or assign other Production Team members as mentors to 

coach them 

• Work with cast members to refine their stories, such as, editing to meet time requirements, 

improving the story’s focus, etc. or supervise mentors to execute these tasks 

• Work directly with the theater to ensure that technical services such as sound, lighting, 

and staging are in place to support the show 


• Up to 5 hours per week initially, but closer to 10 hours per week nearing show date 

18

“It’s been so empowering 

to be more vocal about my 

struggles, and to know that 

I’m empowering others, too.” 

Gianna Santoro, This Is My Brave Philadelphia 2018 



19

THEORY OF CHANGE 

What has to happen for our program to achieve its goals? 

Social & 

Psychological 

Empowerment 

Affirmation 

Ready to tell their 

story of living 

with mental illness 

and/or addiction. 

Reciprocity 

Implementers 

commit to these 

pillars to make 

desired outcomes 

possible.* 

Opportunity for 

Transformation 

Authentic 

Relationships 

* We verify the team's fidelity to these 

principles by surveying stakeholders. 

20

Reduced selfstigma 

and shame 

Increased 

Confidence 

A strong sense 

of purpose 

Strong sense 

of community 

and support 

Feeling Valued 

“So sharing our stories really does inspire and 

encourage others. It really does give hope 

to the hopeless, And it really does save lives. 

My life was spared that day I tried to end it… 

but my spirit was restored the day I took the 

Brave stage. My heart is forever grateful.” 

Danielle Fiorello, This Is My Brave NYC 2015 Cast Member 



21

So You Want to Produce a Show 

What is This Is My Brave? 

This Is My Brave is a movement that empowers individuals to put their names and their faces to their true stories 

of recovery from mental illness and/or addiction. We do this through live storytelling events in cities across the 

country called This Is My Brave - The Show. Each production of This Is My Brave - The Show features its own cast 

of local individuals who tell their stories in a creative way -- through personal essay, spoken word poetry, original 

song, maybe even stand-up comedy or dance. 

No two productions of This Is My Brave - The Show have ever been the same in terms of cast members and 

stories shared. Yet, despite their differences, our research indicates that, overall, our shows consistently yield 

desired outcomes of increased feelings of empowerment and a strong sense of community. Both of these 

outcomes are important steps towards stigma reduction. 

Are the Storytellers for This Is My Brave - The Show actors? 

Cast members for This Is My Brave - The Show are invited to share their own true stories of recovery from 

mental illness and/or addiction. Our Storytellers (also called Cast Members) are NOT actors. They are members 

of your local community who are ready to speak openly about their experiences. 

How are Storytellers recruited for This Is My Brave - The Show? 

Local production teams for This Is My Brave - The Show put out a casting call for Storytellers. Auditions are 

announced in the community via social media, press releases, flyers placed on local bulletin boards and 

through word of mouth. 

How do we bring a production of This Is My Brave - The Show to my town? 

Gather a production team that is committed to mental health awareness and reducing stigma associated with 

mental illness and substance use disorder. Talk to sponsors in your local community to generate support for 

the event including a License, Training and Support Fee to This Is My Brave, Inc. Then begin training on This Is 

My Brave, Inc.’s model for event production, called The Brave Way. 

22

What Is The Brave Way? 

This Is My Brave, Inc. has developed a system called the Brave Way in order to equip more teams across the 

country to do Brave work in their communities. The Brave Way is our unique method for re-creating the magical 

experience of our very first Brave show in Arlington, Virginia, in 2014. The Brave Way includes step-by-step 

guidance in every detail of producing a Brave show, from production team development to community-building 

to event planning. The Brave Way also offers an in-depth orientation to the transformative principles and 

practices that make This Is My Brave - The Show a one-of-a-kind mental health storytelling event. 

Who identifies people who can serve as Production team members? 

The Production Team Lead traditionally determines who serves as a team member. This Is My Brave provides 

a Production team member application that can be used, and all team members are required to sign a project 

commitment agreement before the launch of training. 

How do I recruit for the This Is My Brave Production team? 

This Is My Brave, Inc. recommends that a production team be made up of passionate, well-connected and 

committed individuals who are from a variety of networks within the community. This will allow for the widest 

dissemination of information about the event and generate the strongest possible participation and support. 

I’m ready to bring This Is My Brave - The Show to my area. How do I begin? 

We are so excited that you want to be a part of the This Is My Brave movement. 

Please contact This is My Brave Director of Programming, Katie Grana at katiegrana@thisismybrave.org 



23


@thisismybrave

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