Laughter and the Law: The Importance of Creative Pursuits in Mental Health

During Mental Health Week, conversations in the legal profession often focus on stress, burnout, and resilience. The role of creativity can be just as important, if less discussed. For many members of the bar and judiciary, the Players de Novo, the theatre troupe made up of a rotating cast of judges, lawyers, and students-at law, shows that creative expression is not just a pastime but can be a powerful support for mental well-being.

Founded in 2005, Players de Novo began with a simple idea. As Kevin Mott recalls, what started as a conversation over coffee with Laura Stevens during a break in a homicide trial quickly turned into action: “Wouldn’t it be fun if we could get lawyers to do a play to support a theatre company?” Within three months, a small cast of lawyers, a judge, and an articling student were rehearsing The Mousetrap. “We were certain the only people who would come would be family members,” he says. “We sold the place out. We had a blast.”

Two decades later, and its impact reaches far beyond the stage.

For Michelle Karasinski, involvement offered both a creative outlet and a return to something familiar. She joined the cast of Guys and Dolls in 2018. “I had so much fun meeting other lawyers and judges and working with them to bring the show to life,” she says. Today, she remains involved “for the camaraderie and the creative outlet,” and the chance to give back to the theatre community.

Connection is a common thread. Sara Hart, who first joined in 2009, describes Players de Novo as “such an amazing organization” for meeting colleagues across practice areas—many of whom remain close friends. “It is a wonderful chance to get to know other lawyers and give back to the community… while having fun doing it,” she says.

Similarly, Sarah Rossman, who participated in the 2017 production of Village of Idiots and 2024’s The Madwoman of Chaillot, relished the idea to get involved with local theatre, meet others in the legal community, and “do some good”. Rossman notes that she has made friends and “gotten to know people [she] probably wouldn’t have met otherwise.”

For younger lawyers, that sense of belonging can be transformative. Kristin Peters first encountered Players de Novo as a law student volunteer. Despite a background in theatre, she hesitated to audition. “I assumed that I needed to somehow ‘earn’ the right,” she says. “I just couldn’t fathom that I belonged.” Encouragement from others changed her mind, leading to what she describes as a “career- and life-changing endeavour” that brought lasting friendships and a deep sense of community.

Paul Welke echoes the importance of both creativity and connection. After watching performances as a student-at-law, he joined the cast himself. “It’s a combination of the thrill of being on stage and the collegiality of working with the cast and crew,” he says. “It’s great to see lawyers and judges be ‘real people’ for an evening.”

For Stacey McPeek, the opportunity came through a chance introduction. “A judge who did my bar call happened to be the chair of the committee and told me about it,” she says. “When the opportunity arose, I had to take it.” Even after leaving Edmonton, she remains connected and is exploring ways to expand the concept elsewhere. “It’s the perfect mix of allowing lawyers and judges to display their talents, connect with others, and raise money,” she says.

Her experience highlights the emotional impact of participation. “Show night in Forum—seeing people rise to the occasion and finally land that note they had struggled with—everyone was genuinely cheering each other on,” she recalls. “It felt like we got to live everyone’s wins.”

That sense of shared experience is key to the mental health benefits many participants describe.

“Our work is hard,” says Peters. “It is tremendously serious and often involves the highest stakes.” Being part of a production allows participants to “take down our walls” and connect in ways that aren’t possible in court. “It becomes a bonding experience that helps me feel less alone.”

Hart agrees, describing theatre as “a way to destress in a way that law normally doesn’t.” The rehearsal process provides a form of escapism with colleagues who understand the pressures of the profession. “It’s happy work,” she says.

McPeek puts it even more directly: “Being creative helps my spirit and immediately makes me feel better.” She adds, “Make something today—even if it’s not perfect. Exercising creativity always improves my day.” During rehearsals, she found that daily creative engagement “took a lot of the stress out of my job.”

For Mott, the benefits are rooted in teamwork. “If one person drops the ball, others are there to pick it up,” he says. “Out of that, close relationships and wonderful memories develop.” Over 20 years, those relationships have become a defining part of the experience.

And then there is the joy. Whether it’s unexpected onstage moments or laughter in rehearsals, those experiences matter. As Welke puts it, “the first and most obvious reason to get involved is that it is a lot of fun.”

Players de Novo also plays a broader role in strengthening the legal community. By bringing together lawyers and judges from different practice areas and levels of experience, it creates opportunities for mentorship and breaks down professional barriers. As Karasinski notes, it helps younger lawyers see senior members of the profession “as just people too.”

Rossman further notes that participating in the play is a “low risk entry to acting” with considerable support for people new to the theatre.

During Mental Health Week, these reflections offer an important reminder: well-being in the legal profession is not only about managing stress—it is also about making space for creativity, connection, and joy.

As Hart says, “It is truly a feel-good experience that everyone should have the privilege of being involved in at least once.”

And the link between creativity and well-being is not just anecdotal. American law professor and author of The Flourishing Lawyer Heidi Brown notes “Lawyering is a creative act. Further, the act of creating can nurture our well-being.” She cites research in supporting, that “[t]he act of creation can reduce stress and anxiety and improve your mood”

A 20-Year Celebration

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Players de Novo. The 2026 production, The Redactor’s Studio, created in partnership with Rapid Fire Theatre, continues a long-standing tradition of supporting the arts while bringing the legal community together. The 2026 production opens (and closes!) May 8th. Tickets can be found here.

Whether on stage, behind the scenes, or in the audience, the anniversary is a chance to celebrate not only the performances, but the connections and creativity that have sustained Players de Novo for two decades—and counting.

In a demanding profession, that may be one of the most valuable contributions of all.

Engaging in creative acts is not self-indulgence—it is an effective part of a well-being strategy. Alberta Lawyers’ Assistance Society Executive Director Loraine Champion identifies creativity as part of what her organization recognizes as Lawyer Well-Being Week (the first week of May) and encourages lawyers and law students to explore their creative dimension. The quality of the output is not what defines success, it is the act itself which brings benefits.