Educator Resources

Using Theatre to Spark Conversations About Mental Health Among Teens

Mind Matters: Theatre-Based Mental Wellness Education for Teens

The Mind Matters curriculums are designed for educators, theatre practitioners, and youth leaders who are passionate about fostering mental wellness through the arts. Whether you’re working with high school students in the classroom, leading a drama program, or facilitating community workshops, these resources provide thoughtful, engaging ways to open up conversations about mental health.

Our goal is to empower young people to express their feelings, build empathy, and gain insight through storytelling and performance. We invite you to download these impactful materials and use them to create meaningful connections and inspire thoughtful dialogue among your students.

Pieces of Mind

A Collection of Ten Short Plays About Mental Health for Teens

Pieces of Mind is a versatile and performable collection of ten short plays that explore various aspects of mental health, created to provide opportunities for teenagers to engage with these topics both artistically and personally. Suitable for high school and advanced middle school performers, these plays can be performed in any order, with flexibility to fit your educational or performance setting.

Get Pieces of Mind from YouthPlays

Download the Mind Matters Curriculum for Pieces of Mind.

Like a Jet-Fueled Mariposa

A Short Play by The Alebrije Writers Collective

Like a Jet-Fueled Mariposa tells the story of two undocumented sisters who build a spaceship out of spare parts, with one sister dreaming of leaving while the other reveals a powerful, emotional reason behind the project. This deeply moving and imaginative piece explores resilience, family, and hope.

Get the Like a Jet-Fueled Mariposa Script

Download the Mind Matters Curriculum for Like a Jet-Fueled Mariposa.

PHOTO: The Girl Who Talks to Spiders by Ramón Esquivel. Timber Creek High School (Orlando, FL) Photo by Francisco Perez.

The Mind Matters initiative is made possible through the collaborative efforts of the following partners and contributors:

  • Orlando Family Stage & University of Central Florida: Creative partners committed to bringing theatre-based mental wellness education to young people.

  • Pabst Steinmetz Foundation Arts and Wellness Innovation Award: Generous funding support that enabled the development of this program.

  • The Alebrije Writers Collective: Authors of Like a Jet-Fueled Mariposa, contributing a powerful voice to this initiative.

  • YouthPLAYS: Publisher of Pieces of Mind, providing accessible scripts to educators and theatre practitioners.

  • Playwrights Featured in Pieces of Mind: Eislinn Gracen, José Casas, Ramón Esquivel, Lojo Simon, Lindz Amer, Ralph Gregory Krumins, Eric Coble, Jonathan Dorf, Melissa Leilani Larson, and Idris Goodwin.

This project would not be possible without the creativity, research, and dedication of all involved. We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to making these resources available to educators and young people.

  • Program Directors Emily Freeman, Senior Director of Development, Orlando Family Stage and Elizabeth Brendel Horn, Associate Professor of Theatre, University of Central Florida
  • Psychology Consultants Steven L. Berman, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Central Florida; Brian Fisak, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology, University of Central Florida;
  • Curriculum Managers Emily Freeman and Elizabeth Brendel Horn
  • Curriculum Writers Maria Cary, Ximena Gonzalez, Elizabeth Brendel Horn, Kristala Pouncy Smart, Joshua Rashon Streeter, Julie Woods-Robinson
  • Program Coordinator Ximena Gonzalez
  • Research Coordinator Reilly Branch

Special Thanks To

Orange County Public School theatre educators and their students who participated in Mind Matters programming: Krista Amico, Wekiva High School; Mariellen Batchelor, Evans High School; Gail Chase, Lake Nona High School; Alison Dimino, Boone High School; Justin Horn, Timber Creek High School; Jonathan Jackson, Windermere High School; Kris Kahn, Cypress Creek High School; Michele McGovern Boucher, East River High School; Matthew Nash-Brown, Freedom High School; Sara Probst, Freedom High School; Ryan Skiles, Timber Creek High School; Keith Traver, University High School; and Julie Woods-Robinson, Windermere High School

The following UCF Psychology and Theatre students and Orlando Family Stage teaching artists who provided dramaturgical support: Cory Kennedy Barrow, Reilly Branch, Michael Cerasoli, Ishara Jean-Francois, Brianna Gerhardt, Ximena Gonzalez, Gabrielle Lawlor, Charlotte Meier, Samantha Petit-Homme, Jarrett Poore, Arius West, and Caylee-Mae Williams.

Jonathan Dorf and the YouthPLAYS team for their invaluable support and collaboration.