UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The world has flipped upside down in the past year. Throughout the global pandemic, ongoing racial injustice and political unrest, trauma, anxiety, and depression have not gone unnoticed in the Penn State community. Now, possibly more than ever, it is time to acknowledge the complexity and importance of mental health and celebrate the resilience of those in pursuit of healing.

For this reason, the HUB-Robeson Galleries present "Frozen in the Toilet Paper Aisle of Life: Man Up!", a comedic theatrical piece written and performed by Bill Doan and Tyler Sperrazza. The performance is an expansion of Doan's exhibition and research project, "The Anxiety Project," which is currently on view in the HUB Gallery and online. The project is a combination of hundreds of his own drawings and multiple graphic narrative publications. His performance includes personal stories illustrated with his drawings, integrated with science and informed by research.

Intertwining comedy and science with Doan's personal mental health story, this performance exposes the complex reality of mental health issues, works to break the stigma by starting critical conversations that are all-too-often avoided, and encourages viewers to find a healthy outlet that allows them to best care for themselves.

The performance will be pre-recorded and streamed on March 11, the University's second Wellness Day. All are invited to experience the piece for themselves and with peers. Both virtual and in-person watch-parties hosted by the HUB-Robeson Galleries will be available in three sessions at 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The in-person watch-parties will be held in Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center and are available for Penn State-affiliated students, faculty, and staff. 

Admission is free. In-person event attendees are required to wear a mask at all times, practice proper social distancing, and swipe their Penn State ID upon entering the event.

• To register for an online watch party visit the event website.
• To attend the in-person watch-party register through OrgCentral.

Affinity groups, campuses and organizations are welcome to hold their own viewing events as well and can contact the HUB-Robeson Galleries for more information.

There will be an artist talk-back after the 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. showings. Join Doan, Sperrazza and a student panel to ask and answer the audiences’ questions submitted during the performance. This artist talk-back will be available to in-person and online attendees.

Doan, professor of theatre at Penn State, shared how he stays focused on his mental health.

“For me, drawing every day, whether it’s with or without a specific goal, is critical to staying focused on my mental health. For others, our students in particular, maybe it’s cooking, playing an instrument, dancing, making something with their hands — anything creative can be liberating and help you take care of yourself,” said Doan. 

Support for this event is provided by the HUB-Robeson Galleries, HUB-Robeson Center, both units of Student Affairs as well as the Office of the Senior Vice President for the Commonwealth Campuses and the Arts and Design Research Incubator in the College of Arts and Architecture

If you are struggling with mental health, you are not alone and there is help available. Penn State Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) provides students with free resources designed to support students in their Penn State experience. More information on CAPS can be found on the website. 

For more physical and mental wellbeing resources, visit Penn State Student Affairs Health & Wellness webpage. 

For more information on this and other exhibitions, contact HUB-Robeson Galleries at 814-865-2563, or visit the website. Keep up to date with HUB-Robeson Galleries by signing up for the listserv or following the galleries on Instagram @hubrobesongalleries.