This Is My Brave

Sign up to audition and join us in our movement to normalize talking about mental illness!

NAMI New Hampshire is proud to present its 3rd annual production of This Is My Brave NH, showcasing local stories of recovery from mental illness to BRING HOPE to those who may be dealing with similar challenges. Performances will feature community members who live with – or have loved ones living with – mental health challenges or substance use disorders, telling their stories through personal essay, spoken word, poetry, comedy, original music, dance, or other artistic expression. View the 2025 show here .

Inspire and empower others through your story!

SEEKING: Storytellers with a 5-minute story to share about mental health via poetry, original music, comedy, essay, dance or other artistic expression.

Auditions will be held at NAMI NH at 85 N. State Street in Concord on:

Tuesday, January 6th from 5pm to 7pm
Wednesday, January 7th from 5pm to 7pm
Saturday, January 10th from 9am to 1:30pm

Audition Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for This Is My Brave NH. While we would love to cast each and every person who auditions, we have many factors to consider. We strive to cast a show with a variety of artistic forms, conditions represented, and more. As a result, not everyone who auditions will be cast. Casting decisions are made by a team of local volunteer producers. We hope you understand this as you prepare for the audition.

Your self-care should be your number one priority. Please make sure that you are far enough along in your recovery journey to safely participate in the show. If you feel triggered, or that being in the show is jeopardizing your health, please talk to a producer as soon as possible. Likewise, if producers feel as if participating in the show is not beneficial to your mental health, they reserve the right to ask you to focus on your self-care and not participate in the show.

The Brave Process

Rehearsals for This Is My Brave NH are generally held every other week for two months leading up to the show, and consist of a mixture of online and in-person workshops. Additionally, each cast member is assigned a mentor to help them develop their story and prepare for the on-stage experience. Cast members are expected to attend at least 70% of rehearsal sessions.

Developing Your Story.

We recognize that each Brave Storyteller comes to the process from different places in their healing journeys and storytelling experience. The first month of rehearsals and workshops will focus on helping cast members polish their stories to engage an audience. We are looking for stories that are clear, inspiring, and provide a call to action or educational component.

Telling Your Story.

While some Brave Storytellers may have experience performing on a stage, most do not. The second month of rehearsals and workshops will support cast members as they memorize their stories and learn how to share their stories in a powerful way. Learning to own the stage and stand in your power is the focus of these workshops.

This Is My Brave 2024

This Is My Brave 2025

About This Is My Brave

This Is My Brave aims to raise awareness of mental illness, suicide, and substance use disorders; dispel the stigma and discrimination surrounding these conditions; and raise funds to help NAMI New Hampshire continue to provide free support, education, and advocacy to over 50,000 individuals and families statewide.

This Is My Brave is the leading platform for community members to share their stories of hope, recovery, and success while living with a mental health condition or substance use disorder. Our goal is to support individuals to share their stories— stories of hope, empowerment, and honesty— to end the stigma surrounding these conditions and encourage those still living in silence to seek support. We invite you to join us for an inspiring and hopeful evening!

Questions? Contact us at bravenh@NAMINH.org

Thank you to the generous businesses and organizations who are supporting our 2025 show!