A Therapy Session with Myself, a full-length, semi-autobiographical drama by Anthony J. Piccione, tells the story of Alex Grayson, a young college student and aspiring writer suffering from severe social anxiety, depression and Asperger’s syndrome. During the summer before his senior year, he receives a mysterious visit from “himself”, a human incarnation of his inner consciousness. As they interact, Alex is forced to reflect on his own flaws and personality quirks, as well as some of the darkest and most painful memories of his adolescence, while also pondering the question of whether or not he can overcome his inner demons, and ultimately build a brighter future for himself.

As Piccione describes his play: “It’s a semi-autobiographical play, so while it’s not an exact retelling of my life, it comes extremely close, and I hope it helps fuel a significant conversation about issues of mental illness and autism awareness, and that maybe it will leave people thinking about them, in new ways. I also hope it leaves anyone who has been through dark times with the reminder that life can get better, as long as you’re willing to go out there and give people a chance…”

The play received a staged reading at the Dramatists Guild Foundation in October 2017, and marks its official world premiere with this production. It is directed by acclaimed director and World Ocean Arts’s Stand Out Artist of 2017 Holly Payne-Strange, who previously collaborated with Mr. Piccione on the innovative children’s play An Energy Tale at the 2017 Midtown International Theatre Festival, and assistant directed by Andres Gallardo Bustillo, who is known for his work as an actor in Piccione’s award-winning short drama What I Left Behind at last year’s NYWinterfest.

The production stars Nick Roy as Alex; Shane Zimmerman as “you”, the human incarnation of Alex’s inner consciousness; and Bryant Jager as “me”, Alex’s younger self who appears in flashbacks. The cast is rounded out by Emma Romeo (Kelly), Louise Heller (Kate), Tony Bozanich (Ray/Professor Collins), Travis Martin (Henry/Ensemble), Ramona Messina (Ms. Appleton/Beth/Ensemble), Nathan Cusson (Tim/Ensemble), Aaron Algren (Philip/Ensemble), Rosie Coursey (Ensemble) and Lizzy Moreno (Ensemble).

Anthony J. Piccione is an award-winning playwright whose eclectic canon of plays have previously been presented in NYC at the Hudson Guild Theatre, Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, Midtown International Theatre Festival, and Manhattan Repertory Theatre, as well as at regional venues such as Playhouse on Park, Hole in the Wall Theatre, the Windsor Art Center, and Windham Theatre Guild. His short drama What I Left Behind was named the NYWinterfest’s Best Short Play of 2018, and he was also nominated for Planet Connections Theatre Festivity’s Outstanding Playwright award for his avant-garde one-act 4 $tages. His work as a playwright has been published at JAC Publishing and Promotions, Heuer Publishing & Off The Wall Plays, and his articles and reviews are frequently published at OnStage Blog. He received his BA in Theatre from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2016 and is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America.

For more information, please visit www.anthonyjpiccione.com/atherapysessionwithmyself.