Those in the entertainment community need our help now more than ever, especially when it comes to taking care of mental health. Thank you for supporting our vision to help all artists get the mental care they can't afford. You can help The Actors Fund continue to be the lifeline artists need.

Why support this benefit, "In My Own Little Corner"?

From Chryssie:

I wrote a show about my journey with bipolar disorder.

I wrote a show about my mother's death & her journey with mental illness.

I wrote a show about deep love, forgiveness, and letting go of shame.

I wrote a show to help artists.

I wrote a show to help humanity.

I wrote a show about hope.

My name is Chryssie Whitehead-Disbrow and I am a working professional with 25 years in the performing arts in film, television and on Broadway. I am 42 years old and currently live in New York City where I work in the theatre and in education. At the age of 38, I was shockingly diagnosed with bipolar two disorder. Over the past four years, I have been slowly coming to terms with my diagnosis. Some years prior, my mom died at the age of 66 from a slow suicide. Her death certificate read "Failure to Thrive." Since her passing, my diagnosis, therapy and forgiveness, I decided to use my skills as a professional storyteller to write a show about our lives with mental illness. Now, more than ever, I felt it was time to share with my community and the community, at large.

Teaser from Reading:

WHO IS THIS FOR?

This show is for those who feel alone and in the dark with regards to their own mental health, as well as their loved ones who may not understand what someone is going through and yearns to know more. May my mother's and my story be a beacon of hope for people in need, struggling with mental illness.

I am not a clinical professional, but only here to stand in my truth as a fellow human being, not in shame, but in hope that there is life after diagnosis and that it doesn't have to be scary.

Excerpt from the show:

"In my journey of learning what I am, I now understand what I am not. I am not bipolar. I have bipolar. You see, I have mood disorder like one has diabetes or one has a chronic illness and they take medicine to help manage their disease. I take medicine twice a day, along with ongoing therapy, exercise, mood tracking, meditation, good sleep, nurturing my support system and eating healthy foods. The author, Ellen Forney's SMEDMERTS guide from her book, MARBLES, offers powerful insight in how t feel more grounded, rational, reliable and strong in your day to day!"