The FaCe in Lorain County will be presented May 7 in the city of Lorain.
The play will be shown at Greater Victory, located at 559 Reid Ave., at 12:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
The play is an original mental health stage play which was written and directed by Valerie Overton Howard.
“Mental health affects everyone,” Overton Howard said. “For some individuals, the challenges are temporary, while for others they are life-altering.”
Mental Health Awareness Month, observed annually in May, is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health conditions, reducing stigma, promoting healing and connecting individuals with support and resources, she said.
“Established in 1949, this national campaign reminds us that mental health is just as important as physical health,” Overton Howard said.
The production shines a light on the often-unspoken struggles faced within families and communities, addressing topics such as trauma, healing, resilience and hope.
Set against the backdrop of Lorain County, the play brings together authentic stories, dynamic performances and emotional storytelling to inspire awareness, conversation and connection.
Through its captivating scenes and heartfelt messages, The FaCe invites audiences to look beyond the surface to see the human experiences and emotions that shape who people are, Overton Howard said.
The production has received widespread community participation, televised coverage and media recognition, becoming a catalyst for mental health dialogue and empowerment across the region, she said.
Overton Howard is a public servant with transformative leadership experience in building healthier communities and strengthening organizational systems.
She said she is a dynamic force in mental health advocacy, inspirational leadership and community empowerment, according to a news release.
Overton Howard is renowned for her innovative, passionate and interagency approach to tackling complex societal issues such as poverty, addiction, suicide, mental health stigma and has pioneered multiple undertakings along with rallies leading her to Washington, D.C., the release stated.
A qualified mental health specialist, peer support specialist, success coach and mentor and published author, Overton Howard has reached audiences in Alaska and conducted book tours around the United States, according to the release.
After the murder of her son, then losing 30 individuals within a year, including her mother January 2021 and aunt in February 2021, Overton Howard rose above the trauma and turned her pain into purpose, the release stated.
She has written “It All Came Tumbling Down: Considerations on How to Deal with Grief, Trauma, and Loss, ‘Disappointed Parents” and other published materials with additional mental health tools and children’s books forthcoming in 2026, according to the release.
Overton Howard also is co-founder of Gods Kngdom Ministries, which started in 2003 in Lorain, and has pioneered numerous local and state initiatives along with raising thousands upon thousands of dollars to advance communal rehabilitation.
Her coalition, Joining Forces to Save Lives, brings together political leaders, law enforcement, mental health professionals and faith communities to address the growing mental health and addiction crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and other traumatic circumstances, the release stated.
Overton Howard continues to impact lives through advocacy, education, and faith-driven projects, inspiring hope and revolution in communities nationwide, the release stated.