When I Was Afraid

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The Story Behind "When I Was Afraid"

When artist Jena Young approached me about creating a collaborative of shows in the Frine Festival focuing in the issues of mental health, I knew I wanted to be a part of it (See more below about The Social Butterfly Project).  Art has always been a wonderful outlet for issues of the human experience, and certainly the issues of depression, anxiety and other mental health issues have been explored (and sometimes found healing) in theatre.  I have worked with Jena and Bruce Manning before on storyteeling shows focused on grief, and I thought this would be a great new way for artists and audiences to come together on an issues that affects so many of us and the people we love.

What is the Show About?

"When I Was Afraid" is a one-person story-telling show examining how anxiety and fear have been fairly constant companions on our main charcater's life.  And now, as he plans for a new journey, about which things he would like to take with him and which things he would just as soon leave behind. Our main charcater explores how experiences from his past may provide lessons about his present and future, allowing the audience to empathize with and sometimes just enjoy the telling.  Highly relatable, full of both sadness and humor, "When I Was Afraid" shows how courage, humility and grace are all things worth taking along our own journeys.

What is Peake Productions?

We are an amatuer collection of friends, all of who were involved in theatre while in college.  We have re-gathered as "people of a certain age" to once again enjouy the craft or writing, directing and performing.  The group made their debut in last year's Fringe Festival with the show "What I Should Have Said" which was a lovely experience (and well-reviewed!).  While this year's production in the Fringe will be a one-person show featuring David Hellstrom, all the members of Peake Productions were involved in supporting the show in a writing and directing capacity.

Pictured above:  David Hellstrom, Jeff Radecki, Patty Hooley, Todd Handon and Dan Lori

Is there a story behind the name Peake Productions?

Yes there is.  Dr. Donald Peake was the Director of Theatre at Saint Mary's University for more than 30 years.  Many of the people in this cast and crew were not only students of Dr Peake, or "Doc" as we called him, but were befriended and mentored by him long after graduation.  Donald passed away in 2012.  We miss him and honor his legacy by naming our company after him. 

You might want to make it a Phoenix Theatre night!

"When I Was Afraid" is not the only show happening at the Phoenix Theatre!  Four more productions, all centering on mental health, will be produced there throughout the Fringe Festival, all part of the Social Butterfly Project (see below).

Effecting Social Metamorphosis

This production is a part of the Social Butterfly Project, an IP collaborative promoting Mental Health Awareness.

Working within the framework of the MN Fringe Festival, August 6-16, 2026, Social Butterfly Project aims to connect audiences to a variety of mental health experiences, both on and off the stage. With the help of Fringe Producers and Mental Health organizations, we look to build an environment that engages visitors emotionally, providing experiences to include shows, activities, resources, and support, in order to encourage new perspectives, grow empathy, and provide awareness and support on mental health issues.

Mission statement: The Social Butterfly Project believes that art encourages empathy and empathy encourages change. Our mission is to engage audiences with diverse voices on a variety of social topics, using theater as a catalyst to inspire new perspectives and transform the world.

socialbutterflyproject.com