EdFringe Talk: Acceptance Pending

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“Finishing this show will be a great milestone for me emotionally.”

WHO: Gabriel McDerment

WHAT: “World premiere of Gabriel McDerment’s new mental-health work! As Andrea, a high school senior, fights through the daunting US college application process, she experiences the mental-health strain that affects so many students. The cast, a mix of university students from NYU and other NYC-area schools, is honoured to present an element of the current youth mental-health crisis that has impacted them so much. At their Fringe debut, this cast invites you to step into Andrea’s world and witness not only their mental-health struggle, but the hope they have found together.”

WHERE: Stockbridge Church – Church Hall (Venue 317) 

WHEN: 15:00, 16:30, 19:00, 20:30 (40 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Yes! For me, the community at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is unparalleled. I am a part of Students at the Fringe, and the group has been so wonderful and supportive. People have been there for me at every turn, and I’m really grateful for the chance to bring the show to Edinburgh! I’m most excited about having as much fun as I can bringing “Acceptance Pending” to as many people as possible with some of my best friends in the world.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Yes! I’ve learned to be critical of non-supportive mental health environments. The underlying theme of this show is that anyone, no matter their mental health state, is worthy of love and acceptance. In my opinion, there are too many mental health narratives in theater that focus on fixing people, which plays into negative stigmas and pushes people farther from belonging. While I support finding solutions to mental health issues, I wanted to put something out that really highlighted the okay-ness of not being okay and the acceptance one must feel in that.

Tell us about your show.

I wrote it and am producing it (through my publishing company, Test Dummy’s Publishing Co.)! It’s been a great experience, and definitely one where I’m learning a lot. I started writing it two years ago, as I underwent the college admissions process. Finishing this show will be a great milestone for me emotionally, and I feel like premiering the piece in Edinburgh will feel like setting a project free that I’ve held really closely for a long time. The next thing for “Acceptance Pending” is definitely a cast album! I’m excited to bring the team together again to let the music live on. Beyond that, we are looking at US premiere options for the near future, and we’re hoping to make some exciting announcements soon. 🙂

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

I’d wholeheartedly recommend “What Can Indian Look Like” and “Your Children Will Follow”. These two shows have the absolute best people running them. “What Can Indian Look Like” is a one-person show alternating between Shaharah Gaznabbi and Natalia Advani Thangkhiew. “Your Children Will Follow” is a student-written play from Sacred Heart University, and their entire team is wonderful. Go see these great, deep, brilliant shows!

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