Talent show: The stage as therapy (with video)

  Stepping onto the stage and into the spotlight once a year becomes some of the greatest therapy for talented Yumans with mental illnesses.

  Organizers say it's wonderfully healthy - but it's also super fun - every time Yuma's largest mental health care organization puts on a talent show.

  "This is like a moment when people can share their talents and we can learn from them," said Alma Rivera with the Excel Group. "Plus the show is very enjoyable. It's a win-win situation for everybody."

  The curtain goes up Wednesday on Excel's next talent show, which will take place at the Historic Yuma Theatre, 254 S. Main St. The show time is 6 p.m., admission is free and the community is welcome to join the fun.

  "We thought this year we would invite all the community because they are a part of mental health recovery, too," Rivera said, adding that performers' family and friends have also been invited.

  The talent show will feature 41 clients, who are referred to as "consumers" by Excel. There will be singers, dancers and several poets reading their work. One teenager plans to share his stand-up comedy, while another will show off his skills jumping rope and kicking a ball.

   Group performances range from a dramatic skit staged by a peer support group to a fashion show featuring the work of a crocheting club.

  Several Excel workers are scheduled to hit the boards, too, including one gentleman who is bringing his Mexican-style band and another person who will show off beadwork.

  Mike McCluskey, a clinical administrator, stressed how audience members from the community at large represent an important aspect in mental health recovery.

  "This shows that we can all come together, all respect each other," McCluskey said. "This shows that everyone has talents and everyone can succeed at their own level. This is a realization that no matter where someone comes from or where they are right now, everybody has value as a human being."

  Rivera added that many of the participants say they were never picked to join a team or encouraged to participate in group events growing up.

  "A lot of people also don't get support from their family. We are going to support them! For the consumers this is going to be like a dream come true."

  Rivera got the idea for a talent show during a winter dance. She noticed that quite a few consumers weren't actively participating and she asked what kind of event they would better enjoy.

  "With a talent show our consumers can express how they cope with
mental illness by doing singing, arts, crafts, dancing, whatever they want to do," Rivera said.

  Carol Carr, Excel's executive director, pointed to the organization's mission of providing hope, health and a sense of purpose.

  "We are providing an opportunity to our consumers to grow and to heal and to become contributing members of society and feel a sense of self-worth," Carr said. "That's really what everyone wants, not just people with mental illness. We are social creatures. We all want to feel like we belong and are contributing."

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Darin Fenger can be reached at
dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.