Monarch High Brings Mental Health to the Stage with The Anxiety Project

by David Volz October 4, 2025

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Sireen Lopez, Hannah Coelho, Colin Tessler, and Matteo Galindo, cast members of The Anxiety Project. {David Volz}

The Monarch High School Theatre Department has begun rehearsals for its upcoming show, The Anxiety Project, a one-act edition.

The show, written by Rachel Dean and David Brush, is an exploration of anxiety and depression, produced from true, anonymously submitted stories from individuals who have experienced mental health struggles. The musical is considered a fresh and honest look at mental health, according to Tatiana Ahlbum, head of the Theater Department.

The 30-minute musical will be presented on October 23rd and 24th, serving as the centerpiece of a comprehensive, school-wide initiative aimed at normalizing mental health discussions and connecting students with vital on-campus resources.

Monarch High students will attend a special assembly of The Anxiety Project on October 24 to experience the performance. After the show, the assembly will transition into a session where students will be introduced to the various mental health services, counseling options, and support groups available to them directly on campus, according to Ahlbum.

“Our goal is to use the power of theater to start an essential conversation. This production goes beyond entertainment; it’s an active step toward fostering a culture of openness and care. By staging these real, raw stories, we want every student in the audience to know that seeking treatment or asking for help is an act of strength, not a weakness, and that Monarch High is here to support them,” said Ahlbum.

The department hopes the assembly format—integrating performance with practical resource information—will significantly contribute to breaking the stigma often associated with mental health struggles, according to Ahlbum.

The student actors believe the show is essential, and they are looking forward to performing in it. Sireena Lopez will perform in the ensemble and sing. “I am really excited, and I believe this show deals with an important issue,” she said.

Colin Tessler, who will play Dylan, a character with OCD, said he is looking forward to performing. “Mental health is an important issue for young people,” he said.

The show will be entered into the District 7 Thespian competition on November 4. If it is judged as one of the top two, it will advance to the Florida State Thespian Festival in March.

Two performances will be open to the public at 6:30 p.m. on October 23 and 24, and tickets can be purchased for $5 via MonarchTheatreDept.Ludus.com.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.