NORMAL

Eating Disorders Recovery Support
A site for all who wish to recover from eating disorders

A site for all who suffer with eating disorders

Normal in Schools

Normal in Schools is a national nonprofit arts-in-education organization to produce, develop and implement programs and curricula that teach students of all ages about the devastating impact of eating disorder and the therapeutic impact of theatre.

By bringing a curriculum centered around the musical NORMAL into schools everywhere, Normal in Schools seeks to advance understanding and promote healing. NORMAL is the true story of a family's struggle with a daughter's eating disorder. This Jonathan Larsen Award-winning musical featuring book by Yvonne Adrian, lyrics by Cheryl Stern, music by Tom Kochan, developed by Jack Cummings III and developed for the Normal in Schools program by Robyn Hussa and Eric Christiansen.

Visit the site at:
www.normalinschools.org

First Annual NIS Gala Celebrating Inner Beauty Through Theatre, Music and Art

February 27, 2010 in Milwaukee's Turner Hall Ballroom

Copyright Kirsten Haglund. All rights reserved.

Kirsten Haglund, Miss America 2008 and President of the Kirsten Haglund Foundation for Eating Disorders, will host “INSIDE OUT! – Celebrating Inner Beauty through Theatre, Music and Art,” the first annual gala fundraiser of the NORMAL In Schools nonprofit. This fun, funky and informal benefit will be held Saturday, February 27 at Milwaukee's Historic Turner Hall Ballroom during National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

A professionally trained actress and vocalist, Ms. Haglund will not only host the NORMAL in Schools gala, but will also join NORMAL book writer, lyricist and composer (Yvonne Adrian, Cheryl Stern and Tom Kochan) and members of the professional cast of “NORMAL” in presenting a series of excerpts from the musical.

The Ballroom's upper level will be converted into a multi-media art gallery / sale with work created by a range of artists from Yuroz to local artists to patients in recovery for eating disorders.

Milwaukee's very own Swing Nouveau will light up the stage at 9:30pm, and the swing dancing will continue until the event ends at 11pm.

The artsy event will be fabulously fun, relaxed, inspiring and upbeat. Recommended attire is “informal and funky” to fit the theme of “Celebrating Inner Beauty through Theatre, Music and Art.” The event is suitable for ages 21 and up.

Tickets can be purchased on this newsletter, online atwww.normalinschools.org or by calling 917.771.4977 917.771.4977 .

Silent Auction Will Feature Cook Custom Choppers and YUROZ

The “INSIDE OUT!” benefit will also include a silent auction and an art gallery / sale featuring stunning multi-media artwork created by local artists, including patients in recovery. The auction will include several highly prized items – an original Cook Customs motorcycle designed by AMD World Champion Dave Cook, original artwork from world renowned artist Yuroz, an original song composed especially for the successful bidder by an Emmy-nominated composer / Broadway lyricist and exclusive Broadway and sports memorabilia.

Live Performances

In addition to the silent auction and art gallery / sale, the INSIDE OUT Gala will feature live performances by Kirsten Haglund, Cheryl Stern, Yvonne Adrian, Tom Kochan, Joel Kopischke, Sami Christiansen, Emily Heitzer, Adam Steffan, Ameara Wahhab, Sara Zientek and Milwaukee's own SWING NOUVEAU.

INSIDE OUT! GALA STEERING COMMITTEE:
Robyn Hussa (Gala Chair), Heather Blessington (IT / Web Chair), Jeanne Christiansen (Entertainment Chair), Denise Folcik (Silent Auction Chair), Linda Hagen (Gallery Co-Curator), Rebecca Holderness (Event Day Director), Pat Katisch (Marketing Co-Chair), Nancy Krase (Marketing Co-Chair), Deanna Mueller (Sponsorship Chair), Mary Postotnik (Marketing Co-Chair), Pam Schmidt-Peckham (Gallery Co-Curator), Maripat Abbott, Teri Bill, Sami Christiansen, Pam Elgin, Amy Geyser, Jan Giesige, Tom Gregory, Sr., Joe Hart, Mary Ellen Herman, Susan Keefe, Kathy Lange, Luann Mueller, Alison Roth, Leslie Rutkowski, Peggy Scargall, Maureen Wahhab

Hussa To Receive Women's Health Award

Wisconsin Women's Foundation is awarding NIS Founder and Executive Director, Robyn Hussa, the Champion in Women’s Health Award. The award honors individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and devoted themselves to improving the quality of life for women and families in the following women’s health areas: cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, domestic abuse, mental illness, osteoporosis, smoking & alcohol cessation, and rural women’s health. In addition to creating the NIS arts program in schools, Ms. Hussa has developed yoga programs for those in recovery for eating disorders and addictions.

Save $25 on Tickets!

General Admission (Includes 6:30pm admission to art gallery / sale and silent auction, party with heavy hors d' oeuvres catered by Louise's, live performances and dancing. Tickets are regularly $100 -- $75.00 if purchased prior to February 15, 2010)

VIP Admission (Includes the above plus an exclusive meet-and-greet from 5:30pm - 6:30pm with Ms. Haglund and Dave Cook. Tickets are regularly $150 -- $125 if purchased prior to February 15, 2010)

Sponsors

Affiliated Wellness Group
Aurora Psychiatric Hospital
Classic Color
Clean Slate Spa
Cook Custom Choppers
Lees Psychological Services
Manchester Investments
Manifesting Possibilities
Rogers Memorial Hospital
Sababa Cafe & Catering
W Aloft Hotel

About NIS

NORMAL in Schools (NIS) is a Milwaukee-based national nonprofit arts-and-education organization that brings a hip rock ‘n roll musical (“NORMAL”), a related curriculum, medical experts and persons in recovery to schools to teach the devastating impact of eating disorders and related issues such as body image, self esteem and family communication. NIS was founded by Robyn Hussa, who was recently named a recipient of theChampion in Women’s Health Award by Sue Ann Thompson’s Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation.

Proceeds from “INSIDE OUT!” will be used to help NORMAL in Schools deliver its programs and materials to more families. For every $1,000 we earn, NIS can bring our comprehensive live program into another area school. With more than half of teen girls and almost one-third of teen boys currently engaged in unhealthy weight control behaviors, there is a critical need for eating disorder awareness and the kind of support we bring to this vulnerable population.

Heartfelt Thanks

Dear Robyn,

I've struggled with ED in the past--and still struggle to overcome some issues. My parents saw the show and were truly moved.Here's what my dad said in an email he sent me after seeing NOR.MAL:

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"Hi, Mom and I just saw the NOR-MAL musical. I was totally overwhelmed, tears coming down all the way through. It was so powerful. I think I understand in a way I never did before, in an emotional way, what you have gone through. It breaks my heart to realize how much you have suffered. In the talkback, they mentioned how people with ED probably have a biologically (brain) based vulnerability that makes them respond to stress in this special (awful) way. People with a Type A Personality, who are perfectionistic and compelled to do everything they do to the max, can apply those tendencies to body and weight issues, too. I can certainly identify with the personality part. They also said ED is frequently associated with anxiety problems. Sami who participated in the talk back, said she is still in therapy, and that an important part has been understanding her anxiety and figuring out who she is and what her "self" is all about. I know you are doing this, too, and I'm so proud of you. I love you so much and want you to have the best chance to enjoy your life, be comfortable with yourself, to follow the paths that you want to take in love and work, to pursue your dreams. Dad"

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Wow.

Thanks a million.

~ Anonymous

What is NOR•MAL?

NOR•MAL is a dynamic, fresh, and humorous rock musical characterized by short, episodic scenes, stylization, and deeply resonant storytelling. Based on the true story of Yvonne Adrian's family, this sensitive and heartfelt theatrical work was originally produced in New York City by Drama Desk and Obie award-winning theatre company, Transport Group, and is the winner of The Jonathan Larson award, which recognizes excellence in musical theatre. With book by New York Foundation Artists & Art award winner Yvonne Adrian, lyrics by Broadway veteran actress and writer Cheryl Stern, and music by Emmy award-winning composer Tom Kochan, Developed by Drama Desk and Obie award-winning director, Jack Cummings III, and adaped for the NIS program by Drama Desk award-winner, Robyn Hussa and award-winning high school theatre director, Eric R. Christiansen, NOR•MAL goes beyond a standard informational presentation. It is a highly artistic theatrical work meant not only to educate about eating disorders, self esteem and family communication, but also to demonstrate the healing power of theatre itself.