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"Below the Bottom" is a powerful dance work choreographed by Susanne (Susie) McHugh that explores the lived experience of mental illness and the resilience it takes to heal. Rooted in Susie’s personal journey living with Bipolar II Disorder, OCD, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder—as well as her work supporting others on the NAMI NYC Helpline—the piece delves into the complexity of mental health and the nonlinear nature of recovery.

 

Performed by Susie alongside four talented dancers, the work unfolds in raw, diary-like sections that reveal both vulnerability and strength, ultimately offering a message of hope. Since its debut in 2021, “Below the Bottom” has developed through work-in-progress showings at The Broadway, Dixon Place, and Greenspace, and was recently presented in its full form at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center as part of Mare Nostrum Elements’ Emerging Choreographer Series (April 2025).

 

At its core, “Below the Bottom” sheds light on the emotional realities of living with mental illness while navigating a deeply flawed healthcare system. Through storytelling-based choreography, it transforms pain into art—offering validation, catharsis, and a sense of understanding too often missing from public discourse. In a society frequently desensitized to suffering, this work fosters empathy and connection, aiming to make a timely and necessary impact.

"Below the Bottom" was presented on Friday, April 25th at 7:30pm and Sunday, April 27th at 3pm at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LPAC). This production was part of Mare Nostrum Element's Emerging Choreographer Series 2025.

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