The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia (UBC) presents Brain, a hilarious and heartbreaking monologue about the mind, mental illness, and friendship on November 17 at 7:30pm in the Telus Studio Theatre as part of the Beyond Words series. Written and performed by novelist and slam poet Brendan McLeod, this 2015 Vancouver Fringe Festival Pick of the Fringe has been hailed as “soulful, heartfelt theatre that is moving and challenging, skillfully crafted and entertaining.” (Plank Magazine)
The brisk, clever and poignant monologue Brain maps McLeod’s experiences with obsessive-compulsive disorder – from a teenager struggling to understand his obsessions, to an adult battling psychosis. An optimistic exploration of human nature and the importance of relationships, Brain is an intense comedy that reduces stigma and reveals new insight on mental illness.
Brendan McLeod is a prolific Canadian writer, spoken word artist, and musician. He is the author of one novel (The Convictions of Leonard McKinley), a one-woman play (The Big Oops), two monologues, and founder of The Fugitives, a folk music group signed to Light Organ Records. As a former Canadian slam poetry champion and world slam runner-up, he has shared his wordsmith expertise with students at Langara College. An active youth mentor, McLeod has worked with a variety of organizations, including Wordplay, Prologue, and the Vancouver Biennale.
Chan Centre Connects Events
A series of ancillary events programmed in conjunction with Chan Centre performances, exploring the role of arts and artists in society.
• A little OCD? Understanding Compulsions and Intrusive Thoughts – Wed. Nov 9 / 6pm @ Creekside Community Centre (Olympic Village - 1 Athletes Way, Vancouver). The Chan Centre partners with UBC’s Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies and AnxietyBC for a candid, informative panel discussion about obsessive-compulsive disorder featuring writer and actor Brendan McLeod, co-founder of OCDbc Lynn Furlotte, and registered psychologists Dr. Melisa Robichaud and Dr. Juliana Negreiros. Discover everything you wanted to know about obsessive-compulsive disorder but were too afraid to ask! This event is free of charge.
Chan Centre Beyond Words series Presents: Brain
Date: Thursday, November 17, 2016 at 7:30pm
Ticket prices: From $20
Address: Chan Centre for the Performing Arts University of British Columbia 6265 Crescent Road, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
Box Office: 604-822-2697 / chancentre.com
In person at the Chan Centre ticket office
Open Tue-Sat, 12pm-5pm
Website: chancentre.com