Press Releases

A Survivor of Traumatic Brain Injury, McNeil Will Discuss Causes and Effects of Bullying Including Her Battles with Suicidal Thoughts

EVENT INFORMATION
What:
An Teen Night: Guest Speaker Noelle McNeil

Who:
Algonquin Arts Theatre & Guest Speaker Noelle McNeil

Date & Time:
Friday, March 30, 7 p.m.

Location:
Algonquin Arts Theatre
173 Main Street, Manasquan, N.J.

Tickets:
Free
Advance reservations requested. Contact Julie Nagy at 732-528-9224.

MANASQUAN, NJ � Motivational speaker Noelle McNeil will share her story of being bullied and her subsequent struggles as she contemplated suicide as a survivor of traumatic brain injury as part of Algonquin Arts Theatre's "Teen Night" on Friday, March 30 at 7 p.m.

The event will be held in the Victoria J. Mastrobuono Studio adjacent to the theatre and the public is invited to attend. Seating for this special event is limited. Please reserve by contacting Education Director Julie Nagy at 732-528-9224 to reserve a place. The event is recommended for ages 8 and up.

McNeil, 27, will share her story and experiences being bullied as a survivor of traumatic brain injury. She will also speak on the causes and effects of bullying, including her struggles with suicide and how her life was changed through hope and the power of positive thinking.

Following her presentation, McNeil will open the floor for questions and create an interactive discussion on the topics that she addresses.

McNeil's book "Heaven Exists" chronicles recovering from a severe traumatic brain injury suffered when she was thrown from a horse during an equestrian competition in 2005. She was in a coma for 14 days and when she emerged was totally debilitated: barely able to speak and unable to stand, walk or even swallow. Despite a grim prognosis, she began to recover and worked incredibly hard to redevelop her cognitive abilities, and basic skills, like walking.

A recent graduate of Monmouth University, she speaks to share her experiences with young people and carries a message of acceptance and hope for all. More information about McNeil is available online at noellemcneil.com.

"Teen Night" was created by Algonquin Arts Theatre in the Spring of 2011 to combat the alarming trend of teen suicide in Southern Monmouth County region by creating a comfortable, supportive environment that provides teens with a variety of diverse activities.

To achieve this, the theatre hosts a fun, free night of improv for teens and pre-teens with approximately five classes on Friday evenings each semester. The March 30 class is the fourth of the semester, which will meet for a final session of the spring on Friday, April 13.

Typically 10-20 students attend and participate in the improv session customized to address social issues that are appropriate for the class including character development, bullying, emotional violence, peer pressure, pros & cons of labels and making choices.

The theatre is currently seeking funding through individual and cooperate contributions to fund "Teen Night" and other, similar programs. Please contact Education Director Julie Nagy at 732-528-9224 if you are interested in becoming involved.

Algonquin Arts Theatre was founded in 1992 as a nonprofit organization that uses the arts to provide cultural enrichment and educational enhancement of the highest quality for Central New Jersey residents.