About the Work

"Below the Bottom" is an evocative dance work choreographed by Susanne (Susie) McHugh, exploring the internal experience of living with mental illness and the resilience required to navigate the journey of recovery. Inspired by Susie's personal story and her work supporting others on the NAMI NYC Helpline, the piece captures the complexity of mental health challenges and the non-linear nature of healing.

Presented by a cast of four additional talented dancers, the work unfolds in raw, diary-like sections that illuminate both struggle and strength, culminating in a message of hope. Since its inception in 2021, "Below the Bottom" has evolved through work-in-progress performances at The Broadway, Dixon Place, and Greenspace. This is more than a performance—it's a powerful testament to the human spirit. Join us in bringing this story to life, elevating this dance piece to a bigger stage, and amplifying the voices of those who persevere every day as we strive to realize this work’s full potential.

The mission of "Below the Bottom" is to shed light on the emotional realities of living with mental illness and navigating a deeply flawed mental healthcare system. This project transforms those experiences into art, offering validation and understanding that the system often fails to provide. Mental illness is a subject that impacts far more people than is openly acknowledged. Through storytelling-based choreography, this work seeks to evoke emotional catharsis and foster empathy in a society that can feel desensitized to suffering. By addressing such a deeply relevant issue, "Below the Bottom" aims to inspire connection, understanding, and hope, creating an impact that is both timely and profoundly necessary.

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

What Your Funds Will Support

For this project, Susie is raising $2,000 for crucial production costs. Funds raised will go towards performer stipends, hiring a costume designer and consultations with an experienced lighting designer.

About the Choreographer

Susanne (Susie) McHugh is a Queens-based dancer, choreographer, and mental health advocate. Originally from Philadelphia, she earned her BFA in Dance from the University of the Arts in 2014, where her senior thesis was honored with the Nadia Chilkousky Award for Creativity and Dance-Making. In 2018, Susie participated in the inaugural Ann & Weston Hicks Choreography Fellows Program at Jacob’s Pillow, inspiring her to establish Susie McHugh + Dancers. She has since participated in residencies and programs with organizations including Mare Nostrum Elements, New Dance Alliance, CHEN Dance Center, and LaRussa Dance Theatre, and was a 2024 EmergeNYC Flagship Fellow at Brooklyn Arts Exchange. Her work has received support from the NYFA City Artist Corps Grant and the Barbara and Carl Zydney Grant for Artists with Disabilities, with choreography presented at esteemed venues in Philadelphia and New York City. Susie works as a Helpline Associate at NAMI NYC, intertwining her artistic and advocacy efforts to amplify the voices of those navigating mental health challenges. Photo Credit: Kyna Damewood (Insta: @kyna_marie), Make-up Credit: Ariana (Insta: @ariana_joi)

About Mare Nostrum Elements

Mare Nostrum Elements (MNE) is a non-profit arts organization based in Queens, NY. Each year, MNE produces the Emerging Choreographer Series (ECS), an intensive crash-course in self-producing; offering rehearsal space, compensation, career development consultations, and professional mentorship to selected choreographers.

In 2024, MNE started a new program to deepen our support for the NYC dance community and uplift our Emerging Choreographer Series (ECS) alumni. ECS 2025 marks the second year of this program, supporting alumni choreographers by pairing them with presenting venues and providing them resources to produce 30-40 minutes of work in a split-bill format. Susie and her work "Below the Bottom" was selected to be a part of ECS 2025 at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center.

Mare Nostrum Elements, Inc. is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Below the Bottom by Susanne McHugh

Presented by Mare Nostrum Elements' Emerging Choreographer Series 2025