Welcome inside Zak’s head.
“Inside My Head” is an autobiographical solo musical about one person’s journey with bipolar. It begins in college, with his first manic and depressive episodes during his junior year at Yale. In it, the pre-recorded voices of Zak’s Mania and Depression sing to him (like they’re “inside his head” ☺️)
Ultimately, the show is about examining the deepest, most vulnerable parts of ourselves - the ones we may not want others to see - and moving from shame and denial to self-love and acceptance.
A short trailer about the show and how it can open conversations about mental health at your school, company, or organization.
An excerpt of the show from the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage.
About Zak
Zak Sandler has played piano on Broadway for Wicked, Mean Girls, Motown, and The Color Purple. He has music directed and/or conducted at the Kennedy Center, the Public Theater, Goodspeed, Dallas Theater Center, Lyric Theater of Oklahoma, and TONY award-winning Signature Theatre (VA).
Inside My Head premiered at NY Theatre Barn and was a semi-finalist at the O’Neill Theater’s National Music Theater Conference. He presented a shortened version at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage (video above), and revised the show as a writer-in-residency at the Kennedy Center’s REACH page-to-stage festival in January 2022.
Beyond musical theater, Zak is an avid mental health activist. He won the 2018 Young Leader Award from the New York state chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and has spoken at their National Convention. He is also a presenter with NAMI’s In Our Own Voice, where he shares his stories at schools, hospitals, community centers, business, and more. He has appeared on podcasts, spoken with the JED Foundation and This Is My Brave, and was featured in Psychiatric News, the American Psychiatric Association’s official publication. He is creating a docuseries that explores the link between mental conditions and creativity, called Insanely Talented.
Proud graduate, Yale, B.A., Music Composition.
Click below for the full informational packet!
Testimonials
“Zak’s approach to ending stigma and promoting understanding is fresh and powerful. The honesty of his songs and his musical talent have unique potential to advance the conversation about mental health.”
- Mary Giliberti, Former CEO, NAMI
“Zak’s melodies are colorful and dynamic. I am certain that his music will open up an unprecedented dialogue about mental health on campuses, in communities, and beyond.”
- Bobby Lopez, Double EGOT winner, Composer/Lyricist for Frozen, Book of Mormon, and Avenue Q
“My 24-year old daughter took her own life two years ago. I never understood what she was going through, but, having seen your show, I finally understand.”
- Anonymous Audience Member, Manhasset, NY
“Inside My Head was inspiring for people either living with, or supporting people with, mental health conditions like Zak’s. Our audience of all ages was engaged from beginning to end. Tears, laughs, and nods of understanding were prevalent as Zak brought his wisdom and highly personal perspective to the room.”
-Patti Fuller, Executive Director, NAMI Lake County, IL
“I was awake for most of it.”
- Anonymous School Principal
Make a donation.
Creating and producing a musical takes a lot of money. Your contribution - even a small one - makes a big difference. You may be helping bring the show to schools who otherwise couldn’t afford it, paying an assistant so Zak has more time to focus on the creative process, and/or subsidizing an unnecessarily fancy meal at one of those 15 course tasting menu restaurants that may not be as good as expected.
Inside My Head Tour Dates!
Date
5/20/2022
5/22/2022
8/20/2022
11/8/2023
11/9/2023
1/8/2024
Host
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Cook County North Shore Chapter @ Sunset Ridge Country Club
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Lake County Chapter
@ St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
Open Circle Theater @ Millennium Stage (the Kennedy Center!)
NAMI Iowa Convention
Grand View University
Georgetown Day School
City
Northfield, IL
Waukegan, IL
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines, IA
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
Contact Zak!
imhmusical@gmail.com
Instagram: @bipolar_broadway
Facebook: facebook.com/ZakSandler
Based in Washington, DC
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