This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Stories are how we think and how we make meaning of our lives. What happens when the only story you tell yourself is the one about your mental illness?
Through storytelling we can understand ourselves better and find our commonality with others. We can share passions, hardships, embarrassments, joys, griefs and our overall human experience. Using stories we can connect and feel less alone in the world.
Andrea talks about her interest in the power of storytelling (the good and the bad) and how she’s seen it reduce the stigma around mental illness and give those that suffer from it a voice.
Andrea Gibbs is the co-creator of Barefaced Stories and a core comedian in The Big HOO-HAA!
She began improvising in 2002, then competed in the Australian National Theatresports Championships and trained with Keith Johnstone at Loose Moose Theatre Company (Canada). She won the Triple J’s Raw Comedy WA State Final (2005) and was selected to perform in Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s showcase show The Comedy Zone.
As an actor, Andrea has performed with Perth Theatre Company, REAL TV, Black Swan State Theatre Company and Barking Gecko. Her film/TV credits include Very Small Business (ABCTV), The Stepmonster (Nickelodeon), My Year Without Sex (2009) and Cookie Crumbles (2013).
In 2010, Andrea studied storytelling in New York with Margot Leitman before returning to create Perth’s most exciting storytelling show, Barefaced Stories.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)