Thursday, February 15th – The 51鱨վ and local community came in droves to see the smashing success of Every Brilliant Thing. The theater performance, sponsored by the Department of Counseling and Human Services (CHS) in the Darden College of Education & Professional Studies, along with Arts@51鱨վ and the Sarah Michelle Peterson Foundation, captivated audiences from 51鱨վ and beyond. Owing to its unique integration of mental health and art, Every Brilliant Thing drew a wide crowd; attendees included students, alum, university and community partners, site supervisors, educators, health care professionals, and school counselors from several school districts. The performance went on to a full house.
After the production, a panel of experts offered reflections and engaged in dialogue with the audience. Dr. Millicent Lee, COUN adjunct and 51鱨վ Coordinator for Diversity and Inclusive Excellence (Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity) as well as School Counseling Coordinator of CHS and Director of the DCEPS Holmes Scholar Program, Dr. Emily Goodman-Scott offered their insight at the sold-out evening show. Contributions were also made by the 51鱨վ Counseling Center.
Every Brilliant Thing made an impact on all who attended. The show was “a really special opportunity to provide a service to 51鱨վ and our surrounding communities,” Goodman-Scott said afterwards. Those who came from outside 51鱨վ have already started to request that the show be brought to their organizations, to further the conversation on mental health, hope, humanity, and the impactful and long-lasting impact of school counseling.
Every Brilliant Thing, is produced by the Virginia Stage Company (located in downtown Norfolk), and Thursday’s performances were funded by Sentara and Hampton Roads Community Foundation Community Leadership Partners.
