In a world where mental health often takes a backseat, one local organization has been quietly making a difference for two decades.
Rose City Center, a nonprofit psychology clinic and training institute in Pasadena, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with “Peace of Mind: A Festival of Short Plays by Jeff Locker.” The benefit event, co-hosted with Gentleman George Productions, will take place at The Colony Theatre in Burbank on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 7 p.m.
The evening will feature a 90-minute showcase of engaging theatre, exploring themes relevant to mental wellness, recommended for ages 13 and above without intermissions. An ensemble cast of accomplished actors, including Ron Sequeira, Jeff Locker, Sandi McCree, George McGrath, Olivia Stambouliah, Eric Gutierrez, Gabriel Sousa, G. Maximilian Zarou, Frances Brennand Roper, Joanna Kay, Cara Kluver, Sienna Tso, Coyote Perez, and Steven Frankenfield, will bring the short plays to life on stage.
“The event that we have, the benefit night really is to raise awareness for mental health services and emotional wellbeing,” said Ron Sequeira, Board president of Rose City Center. “I think that’s something that in this environment is critical.”
General admission (unassigned seating) is $40, while premium tickets (including a complimentary drink upon arrival and priority seating) are $60. Premiere VIP tickets (including entrance to the champagne lounge, complimentary drinks, and reserved seating) are $100. Tickets may be obtained at www.sweet-tix.com.
Rose City Center remains dedicated to providing accessible mental health care, offering services on a sliding scale and ensuring comprehensive supervision and training for its clinicians. Two years ago, the organization developed the Life Emergency Assistance Fund (LEAF) program to help offset the cost of their minimum fee for patients experiencing financial difficulties.
“The minimum fee that we have is $60 for a patient looking for services,” Sequeira explained. “And that LEAF program allows us the opportunity to offset some of those costs and try to bring the cost down to $20 for those people that might have difficulty in affording the full fee.”
Sequeira, who has had a passion for the dramatic arts since 2009, collaborated with his close friend and playwright Jeff Locker to bring this event to life. They aim to shift public perspective on mental health and emotional well-being by blending artistic expression with advocacy.
“Ever since I started studying the dramatic arts, one of the things that really resonated with me is it comes down to a study of human behavior,” Sequeira said. “The arts really is such a sacred opportunity for us to get the responsibility of playing out scenarios that happen day-to-day in life.”
The event will also feature a performance by the acapella group “Top Shelf,” in which Jeff Locker sings. Hera the Dog Vodka, a nonprofit creating sustainable funding for grassroots animal rescues, is sponsoring the event and donating vodka for a signature drink.
The Colony Theatre has played a significant role in supporting the event, with Brenda Ramirez Koff, the director of operations, enthusiastically backing the initiative. Sequeira hopes this will be the beginning of a long-standing relationship with the venue, potentially making the festival an annual occurrence.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Rose City Center has shown remarkable resilience and adaptability. “One of the most inspiring things has been the love and support from all members of the organization,” Sequeira said. “Rose City Center is stronger than ever because of the efforts and collaboration with everybody involved.”
Sequeira also acknowledged the support of Jericho Road, another nonprofit organization, and Mitch Dorger’s help with strategic planning efforts for Rose City Center.
Last year alone, the organization provided 5,883 hours of therapy appointments for 373 California residents. As Rose City Center looks to the future, Sequeira’s vision is clear: to help more people and expand their outreach efforts.
“If we can really expand our reach with outreach and awareness, I’d love to see that come to fruition,” he said. “I think the more people that we can help, and the more people that can recognize the benefits of it, is really the goal.”
The event falls on Star Wars Day (May 4th), and Sequeira draws a parallel between the event’s theme of hope and the central theme of the Star Wars movies. “I’m asking people to come out, and a lot of the Star Wars movies have hope as the core and central theme,” he said. “I remember ‘A New Hope’ being the first Star Wars movie I saw, and I think that’s one of the things I want to reinforce.”
The Colony Theatre, located at 555 N. Third St. in Burbank, 91502, will host the event.
