Help Get 'We Need To Talk About Brenda' On Tour

Theatre has the power to change lives. It sparks conversations, challenges perceptions, and makes the invisible visible. But what if your own body made you feel invisible? What if every month, without fail, you lost yourself entirely—your joy, your relationships, even your will to live? This is the reality of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a severe condition that affects 1 in 20 women and AFAB individuals. It is often dismissed, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood. I know this because I’ve lived it.

Hi, I’m Nichole Brown, an actor, playwright, and early-career producer. I wrote We Need To Talk About Brenda while going through medically induced menopause, grappling with the symptoms of PMDD, and ultimately making the life-changing decision to have a hysterectomy at 23. This one-woman show is a darkly funny, sharp-edged comedy based on my true story. Through theatre, I want to give a voice to those battling PMDD and other misunderstood health conditions, breaking the stigma around menstrual and mental health.

In April 2024—PMDD Awareness Month—I will be taking We Need To Talk About Brenda on a six-venue regional tour, and I need your help to make it happen.

Tour Dates & Venues:

10th April: The Hub at St Mary’s, Lichfield

19th April: The Bureau Arts Centre, Blackburn

23rd April: The Gregson Centre, Lancaster

29th April: Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham

1st May: Seven Arts, Leeds

10th May: Salford Arts Theatre, Manchester

Why This Matters

PMDD is more than just ‘bad PMS’—it can be life-threatening. 34% of those with PMDD have attempted suicide. Too many people suffer in silence, believing their symptoms are normal or that they’re simply ‘too emotional.’ Through this show, I want to reach those who feel alone, to make them laugh, to make them feel seen, and to make them understand that help is out there.

At the same time, this tour is a crucial step in my journey as a theatre-maker. It’s about proving that stories like mine belong on stage. With your support, I can:

Raise awareness of PMDD and other underrepresented health conditions.

Break the stigma surrounding mental and menstrual health.

Launch my career as a producer, actor, and playwright, showing people with chronic illnesses and disabilities that the arts are for them too.

Establish The Brenda Productions, a theatre company dedicated to creating opportunities for disabled and chronically ill artists.

How You Can Help

Your donation, no matter the size, will help bring this production to life. Whether you’re passionate about theatre that drives change or raising awareness of PMDD, your support will make a real difference.

Let’s make some noise. Let’s talk about Brenda.

Thank you for believing in this project.

Nichole Brown

Creator of We Need To Talk About Brenda