ARTIST:  MINDY DILLARD
SHOW: HOW TO SURVIVE A POISON APPLE
WHERE: THE 418 PROJECT
WHEN: Thursday July 17 at 6pm, Friday July 18 at 8:30p or Saturday July 19 at 5pm 

You can transform your poison into medicine. Singer-songwriter and eating disorder survivor Mindy Dillard weaves an electric musical travelogue from her experiences with anorexia and body dysmorphia. Inspired by Carl Jung and the writings of Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Dillard conjures layered soundscapes with loops and samples, original songs and tender, funny, non-linear storytelling. Dillard is a princess caught in a hall of mirrors perpetuated by the media and society. Witness her navigation of the cultural expectations force-fed into every woman and girl about body image, self-worth and finding a mate.

Part of the proceeds from this performance will benefit The Lotus Collaborative's Scholarship Program. Come join this journey away from jealousy, anger, perfection and emptiness to true fullness.

PRESS QUOTES: 

"I couldn't stop clapping. Mindy's mega-talents as a singer-songwriter, actress and storyteller lifted my heart. But, she didn't stop there. She brought me eye to eye with the dark side of the princess fable and the poison apples in the mind and culture that can result in an eating disorder. She shares clues about how she broke the spell of her disorder enough to welcome a roomful of princess with zits, glasses, and beautiful spirits, a room where being real is a female birthright. I want her show to appear anywhere girls, women, mothers, dads, educators, clergy and medical people sense that a monster lurks, a monster that only a true princess can dispel." - Cynthia Winton-Henry, Co-founder and Director of Interplay (Oakland, CA)

[A]"riveting and redeeming synthesis of music, message, story and heart" - Lisa Lepine ProMotion Queen, creative consultant (Portland, OR)

"Once again -- you NEED to see this show. It is awesome! So beautiful to see how Mindy has come into her Fullness!" - Halelupe, Singer-Songwriter (Portland, OR)

"In her candid, entertaining and courageous play How To Survive a Poison Apple Mindy Dillard offers us an opportunity to explore critical issues that girls and women face--body image, acceptance, the search for love and the messages we receive from society about what it means to be beautiful. Using humor, music, compassion and honesty, Dillard offers us an opportunity to reflect on our own relationship with our bodies. Dillard's work provides a heartfelt launching point for a discussion about eating disorders, shining a light on the struggles that girls and women face with these disorders. - Danette C. Haynes, LCSW (Portland, OR)

"It can be so difficult for preteen and adolescent girls and their families, friends, schools, and churches to begin the important conversations around issues of eating disorders, body image, and cultural expectations. Mindy Dillard’s funny, painful, and insightful one woman musical, How to Survive a Poison Apple, is a wonderful place to start. The show can be done in a church sanctuary, social hall, classroom, or even in a backyard or living room: anywhere people are ready to support each other in the journey of health for ourselves and our daughters." - - Rev. Lizann Bassham (Sebastopol, CA)

Friday, June 27th, The Lotus Collaborative teamed up with Center for Discovery to offer local clinicians and healthcare professionals free education on levels of care in the treatment of eating disorders.  Thank you to presenters Dr. Liz Esalen, Founder, CEO, and Executive Director of The Lotus Collaborative and Dr. Golee Abrishami, Regional Clinical Director of Center For Discovery.  

The Lotus Collaborative cordially invites you to come tour the Mermaid House, our new transitional living space. There will be hors d'oeuvres, drinks and tons of photo fun. Our professional photographer, Gohar Barseghyan, founder of Creative District SF, will be on site offering you a chance to update your professional headshot. T.L.C is offering this service FREE to our community professionals to thank you for touring our transitional living home. Drop by and say "Cheese"!