It’s official, we will be running a reTHiNK  challenge again in 2012, and we’re looking for a theme.

Visit www.rethink.org.nz to comment on your idea for a performance event “theme” or “Catch Phrase” that will challenge the myths and stereotypes of Mental Illness. (in 2010 it was “M.A.D. – Its a matter of degree”, in 2011 it was “Who are you in the maze of life?”)

We will be inviting submissions from venues, writers, performers, directors, filmmakers, comedians and crew from everywhere in March 2012 so make sure your signed up (top right of the website) to receive updates so that we can invite you to get involved.

Meanwhile – we wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas!

Proudly supported by Mind and Body Consultants Limited and the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand as part of the Like Minds, Like Mine programme to reduce stigma and discrimination.

Have you noticed a slight change already? The Like Minds team here at Mind and Body are pretty excited here.

We’ve re-thunk the reTHiNK Grants and look forward to giving you some exciting news soon. But first, we want to hear from you – what do you want reTHiNK to look like in 2012.

Make your comments here.

And in the meantime, check out rethink’s Youtube channel – we’re in the process of uploading all the reTHiNK performances from the last couple of years, it might take us a while so stay tuned, but there’s plenty of stigma-reducing resources here for you to stay inspired and entertained.

reTHiNK Possible Worlds hit the stage at Galatos this weekend and came out with rave reviews.

“It was like eating a good meal: not so much that we are sore, not so little that we are still hungry…” said one reviewer,  “the dance is allowed to wash around the vocal performer, wrapping them in a cooperative interplay…” that offers “constant glimmers of hope, of escape routes and pathways to human dignity.” Keep reading the review on Theatre View.

Opening night saw the announcement of the reTHiNK Possible Worlds Youtube Competition winner. Lora Keyes took home a reTHiNK Possible Worlds T-Shirt and an Ideos Smart Phone courtesy of 2Degrees Mobile for her video-poem ‘Hearing Voices or Uninvited Guests that Overstay Their Welcome.’ All finalist film clips will be uploaded to The Literatti’s Youtube channel in the coming week, ready for the public to view, share and discuss.

The entire show was filmed and will be available soon. For those who missed out and want another chance to experience reTHiNK Possible Worlds live, the group will be performing a highlights show as part of the Interact Festival’s Stage Challenge on October 29th at the Glen Eden Playhouse. The whole event kicks off at 7:30pm and reTHiNK Possible Worlds will be hitting the stage at 9pm.

160 people saw the show over the weekend and even more people have been involved in the project in the last four months. If you took part in reTHiNK Possible Worlds at any stage, we would appreciate your feedback on the experience. Please take a few minutes to fill out our feedback survey. Your feedback helps us to evaluate the project and ensure funding for projects like this into the future.

Many thanks from the Like Minds Like Mine team at Mind and Body Consultants to Christian Jensen, The Literatti, Etched Dance Productions, the musicians and all of the other artists, film-makers and technicians who came on board and helped bring reTHiNK Possible Worlds to the public.

In four days reTHiNK Possible Worlds opens at Galatos as part of Mental Health Awareness Week. Today is World Mental Health Awareness Day and we have been speaking to Jess Quaid from Etched Dance Productions about how she has found working on the collaboration. Here’s what she had to say.

Click on an image to expand it.

What is your role in the show?

I am one of the Dancers

What is reTHiNK Possible Worlds and what is it about?

This show is a tapestry of many creative arts, woven around threads of poetry. It speaks clearly to the human experience, of its pitfalls and problems and also of the chance we all have to choose a better way, to think and feel our way clear of the murk.

How do you relate to the themes in the show?

The idea that resonates with me most is the phrase “we are all human beings, navigating the maze of life”. As  a species we seem to love dividing ourselves and labelling each other. It seems so easy to forget the truth that we are all just human, equally unique, equally deserving as we stumble together through our lives.

What has it been like creating this production?

A learning curve fore sure! As a dancer who tends to work from movement first and let the meaning arrive when it will, working on the concepts of the poems and the feeling of the music as they evolve has been both challenging and richly rewarding. The camaraderie and openness of the group has been a wonderful example of what a collaboration can be.

Keep reading on The Big Idea…

If you reckon you could help fill this year’s reTHinK audience by selling some tickets to reTHiNK Possible Worlds, We would be happy to reward you either with comps or cold hard cash! If you pride yourself on your persuading prowess and can sweet talk your friends into putting their bums on our comfy seats contact taimi at mindandbody dot co dot nz and she will fill you in on how to get some affiliate action!

Last year’s show sold out – and we’d love to do the same again before the day. Trust me, your friends wont be disappointed in this highly entertaining and enlightening show involving performers of all disciplines and it’s all in the name of reducing stigma and lifting spirits for mental health awareness week!

Help us spread the word about this awesome show.

http://rethinkpossibleworlds.eventbrite.com/