'Break the Silence'

“Break the Silence” is a short film that looks at mental health in the Black community. It features an original poem from Johnny Lee Chapman, III and movement by Anthony Nelson, Jr.

The thing about mental illness is that it works in a cycle. It has periods of flaring and of staying silent. Those with it will occasionally fall into a spiral, sinking to depths due to past trauma. But we don’t stay here. We rise higher, continuing to heal and deal with situations in new ways. We have walked through the tunnel, traversed the darkened woods, but what next? What happens after the cycle has been broken and we reach the coveted end of the tunnel? What is it that lies beyond the light?

“Break the Silence” was featured in the group exhibition “Black On Black V3.”

“BREAK THE SILENCE”

Performance/video runtime: 3:20
Monologue: Johnny Lee Chapman, III
Choreography and movement: Anthony Otto Nelson Jr.
Location: Raleigh Little Theatre, Raleigh N.C.
Performance coordinators: Johnny Lee Chapman, III; Anthony Otto Nelson Jr.; Michael S. Williams
Video: Filmed by Jason Wolonick; edited by Rebecca Ward; directed by Michael S. Williams

Only available for viewing as part of special events or screenings.