The Broadway-aimed musical “Girl, Interrupted” debuted Off-Broadway this past spring at the Public Theater. The show is adapted from Susanna Kaysen’s memoir, which documented her time spent in a mental institution during the 1960s and tells the story of Susanna and her fellow female patients. Production company Level Forward, which is a producer on the project, conducted a small study to determine the preliminary effects of the musical on its audience.
According to its mission, Level Forward specifically produces commercial entertainment — across theater, film and television — that the company believes will impact social progress. Its study tied to “Girl, Interrupted” demonstrates the transformative power of this live theater production.
On June 12, audience members attending “Girl, Interrupted” at the Public received surveys before the performance and after the performance. After the performance, the audience was also invited to stay for a conversation called “More to Talk About” (MTTA), facilitated by Level Forward.
Ruthie Fierberg
Approximately 200 paper surveys were distributed; approximately 150 were returned complete. The questionnaires were anonymous but numbered, so collectors could track the pre- and post-show answers of a single attendee. Respondents answered five multiple-choice questions and one open-ended question.
According to the results, more than 70 percent of respondents reported a change in their perspective on mental health challenges after seeing the performance — and 75 percent of those who stayed for MTTA. Audiences were asked:
After experiencing the play and More to Talk About, I feel (pick one):
- More comfortable talking about mental health
- More curious about experiences different from my own
- More aware of assumptions I may hold
- More connected to people experiencing mental health challenges
- No change in my perspective
This means 70 percent specifically felt more comfortable, curious, aware or connected.
