STAGE COMBAT: A Mental Health Story
Empowering actors to navigate the demanding nature of theater with resilience and confidence.
HAYWOOD PRODUCTIONS, LLC
Proudly presents a new podcast
STAGE COMBAT:
A Mental Health Story
Featuring and directed by SEAN HAYDEN
New York, NY - July 25, 2023: Haywood Productions, LLC is pleased to announce the second season of the groundbreaking podcast series about a leading actor who experiences a mental health crisis at one of the most powerful theatres in the country: The Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut. Telling his own story, Sean Hayden directs the “riveting series” according to On Stage Blog, and Boy Culture confirms it is “a compelling story”. Listen to Season One now on Apple Podcasts and explosive new episodes when Season II begins July 25, 2023.
“It’s a mental health story told like a true crime podcast wrapped in a juicy, backstage theatre tale!” – Patrick Hinds, Obsessed Network
In 2019, Sean Hayden thought he had booked the role of his dreams at the prestigious Goodspeed in its production of "Billy Elliot, The Musical." As he drove over the Connecticut River and laid his eyes on the fairy tale Opera House for the first time, Sean had no idea what would be looming behind its doors. "Stage Combat: A Mental Health Story" takes the listener into the insular world of the theatre industry in which the unspoken rule is, “You are not supposed to speak up. Or there will be consequences.” If you thought all the drama happens on stage, wait until you hear what happens after the curtain closes in this immersive listening experience. In a unique format, each episode is followed by a short “post-show talk back” with Sean and a mental health professional. Together they unpack the issues presented in the episode in provocative conversations about mental health and the theatre industry.
Season One of Stage Combat: A Mental Health Story showed the listener, moment by moment, how a mental health crisis happened at the Goodspeed Opera House. In Season Two, the listener will experience the fallout from that mental health crisis in an epic eleven-episode arc of Sean Hayden’s mental health journey.
With the Stage Combat: A Mental Health Story Podcast, Sean aims to underscore the importance of raising awareness and providing support for the mental well-being of actors and theater staff. By fostering a culture of compassion, understanding, and accessible resources, we can empower actors to navigate the demanding nature of theater with resilience and confidence.
Listen to Season One now on Apple Podcasts. Season II begins July 25, 2023. NEW EPISODES DROP ON TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS!
The podcast stars 20 additional voice actors. The podcast is recorded and edited by Andrew Linn. Podcast icon designed by Fran Pinter-Parrott.
Website: stagecombathepodcast.com
SEAN HAYDEN (creator, actor, director) / HAYWOOD PRODUCTIONS, LLC is the CEO of Haywood Productions, LLC. As a professional actor, Sean has appeared in two Broadway national tours and in plays and musicals in theaters across the country. He is a proud union member of Actors' Equity Association. As a mental health advocate, Sean has provided thought leadership on how employers can better support the mental health of their employees in various media outlets. His op-ed on “Men and Mental Health” appeared in The Economic Times. Sean resides in New York City and upstate New York with his husband, a screenwriter.
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Season One:
Episode 1: "Welcome to the Goodspeed"
Sean gets a second chance late in his career by booking a leading role at one of the most prestigious and powerful theaters in the country, The Goodspeed Opera House. But from the outside of the glorious Victorian facade of the Opera House, all may not be quite as it seems.
Episode 2: "The Director"
Sean begins a close working relationship with the Broadway director helming the production of Billy Elliot at the Goodspeed.
Post-Show Talk Back: Clinical psychologist Dr. Alisa Hurwitz discusses the mental health story that is being portrayed on stage within the musical, Billy Elliot, The Musical.
Episode 3: "All About Chad”
A new cast member brought in two weeks prior to the start of rehearsals of Billy Elliot at the Goodspeed threatens to change everything for Sean.
Post-Show Talk Back: Sean talks with clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Sherman about her study with the American Psychological Association regarding the psychological effects acting can have on performing artists.
Episode 4: “Solidarity Roadkill/Fight Call”
Things heat up on the Goodspeed stage during the stage combat sequences of Billy Elliot.
Post-Show Talk Back: Sean chats with clinical psychologist Dr. Alisa Hurwitz about “consent” in the workplace and how that issue can affect our mental health.
Episode 5: “Opening Night”
The director holds a meeting on the stage with Chad, Sean, and the stage manager; Sean attends the opening night party for Billy Elliot.
Post-Show Talk Back: Sean invites Dr. Hurwitz back to discuss whether our bodies send us signals when they feel they are in danger.
Episode 6: Chad’s Revenge/ “I Feel Like We Are Unraveling the Zelensky Call”
Chad has a plan. The Goodspeed kicks into high gear in response to Chad's allegations.
Post Show Talk Back: Sean chats with actors Michael McGurk and Steven Bono, Jr. about bullying in the workplace.
Episode 7: “Spinning Out”
Sean senses that the Goodspeed is keeping something from him.
Post Show Talk Back: Sean chats with clinical psychologist Dr. Alisa Hurwitz about an essay by Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth about the fear actors have of speaking up about their safety for fear of being labeled "a problem."
Episode 8: “Splat!”
The chaos at the Goodspeed affects Sean in a devastating way
Post Show Talk Back: Sean chats with clinical psychologist Dr. Alisa Hurwitz about panic attacks.
Episode 9: “Terror”
Following the events of last night, Sean hopes the Goodspeed will finally take action.
Post-Show Talk Back: Sean talks with clinical psychologist Dr. Alisa Hurwitz about the power of words when it comes to mental health.
Season Two:
Episode 1: “Silence”
Following his collapse on the Opera House stage, Sean returns to work for the press performance of Billy Elliot.
Post Show Talk Back: Clinical psychologist Dr. Alisa Hurwitz discusses with Sean the effect that silence can have on one’s mental health.
Episode 2: Double Episode! “The Memo”/ “File: S. Hayden”
A flurry of memos may threaten Sean’s future at the Goodspeed / There’s a file with Sean’s name on it.
Post Show Talk Back: Clinical psychologist Dr. Alisa Hurwitz chats with Sean about “depersonalization.”
Episode 3: “The Whistleblower:
Things come to a head during the Friday night performance of Billy Elliot at the Goodspeed.
Post Show Talk Back: Clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Sherman and Sean talk about actions theatres can take now to support the mental health of their performing artists.