Director, performer, and storyteller Stacy Stoltz brings a deeply personal and empathetic touch to Every Brilliant Thing, a play that confronts depression and suicide with honesty, humor, and hope. Her vision for the production at DPAC invites audiences into a shared experience—one that celebrates life’s simple joys while encouraging open, meaningful conversations about mental health.
Through a collaborative approach that blends artistry with compassion, Stoltz fosters connection, vulnerability, and moments of profound resonance on stage. Read on to learn what inspired her to bring this play to Notre Dame and the powerful messages she hopes audiences will carry with them.
Every Brilliant Thing tackles difficult topics like depression and suicide in a way that’s tender, uplifting, and even funny. What drew you to this piece, and why did you want to bring it to Notre Dame?
Stacy: I saw a production of Every Brilliant Thing before the pandemic and it just bowled me over. I’d never seen anything like it. It was moving and joyful and the way it invited the audience to play was thrilling. I remember laughing and weeping at the same time. I’ve been dreaming about performing in or directing this play ever since.
What conversations do you hope this production sparks around mental health, especially in a university setting?
Stacy: When Matt and I talked about doing the show, we decided that he would perform and I would direct. The role in the show can be played by any one of any gender and we had an interest in exploring issues around vulnerability and masculinity. According to the most recent figures, suicide rates in the U.S. are much higher in men than in women. It seems there are many factors that go into these statistics but men’s mental health struggles often go unrecognized and undiagnosed. Stigma around asking for help, expressing emotions, loneliness and shame may also play a role in these elevated suicide rates for men. I feel there is still so much division around our gender identities and my hope is that experiencing the play will shine a light on our similarities, and normalize opening up and sharing about our mental health issues.
Has working on Every Brilliant Thing changed your own perspective on resilience, connection, or finding joy in everyday life?
Stacy: The play reminds me to notice and name the things I love. I’ve been raising my gaze more often and leaning in to notice the details. I can get really zoomed in on my pain, my difficult circumstances and my worries about the state of the world. I forget to zoom out and see things that bring ease and joy. The play reminds me to revel in a pink sky at sunset, to respond to my dog’s requests to play, or to reach out to a friend and say “I love you.” I realize I can squeeze some joy in alongside whatever stress or confusion I might be carrying and I can find balance even in troubling times.
What moments in the play seem to resonate most strongly with audiences?
Stacy: When the audience arrives, some people are a little reserved about playing a role in the experience but they quickly realize it’s easy and fun and that everyone is taking part. I think what resonates for people is a sense that we’re all in the room together making something sweet and meaningful. People get swept up in the story of the play and I imagine many can relate to the experiences that are shared. Any reservations seem to lift because it’s just so fun and engaging. The audience is really noticing each other in the room and a sense of togetherness bubbles up around the activity of the play.
How does performing in a space like DPAC—and in front of a campus and community audience—impact how you approach the work?
Stacy: The play explores issues of depression and suicide in a very thoughtful and uplifting way. I knew I wanted to collaborate with Psychology professors and mental health researchers at Notre Dame to gather insights around creating a fun and secure experience for all. We’ve been connecting with these mental health advisors around ways to support the experience before, during and after the show.
Through Every Brilliant Thing, Stacy Stoltz reminds us that even in life’s most difficult chapters, there are moments worth noticing, cherishing, and sharing. By fostering a sense of togetherness between performer and audience, she helps transform theater into both a celebration and a catalyst for important dialogue. As the play unfolds at DPAC, it’s not just a performance—it’s an invitation to look up, lean in, and remember the brilliant things that make life worth living.
Experience Every Brilliant Thing at DPAC
Profoundly moving and surprisingly funny, Every Brilliant Thing invites you into a deeply personal story about finding reasons to keep going. Even in the face of depression and loss.
*ASL available for the Sunday evening performance.
