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Playbill: Evan Ruggiero, the one-legged tap dancer who fought cancer and went onto appear on American Idol and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, will star in the Pittsburgh premiere of The Toxic Avenger.
It is very inspirational to see someone who has gone through so much physically and mentally, pursuing his or her dreams and being successful. When Evan lost his leg he did not let that stop his dreams and passion. Most people would have given up on dancing if they lost a leg, but Evan did not give up. Of all dance forms tapping focuses the most on your feet and legs. He was able to learn how to tap dance with a peg leg, which is incredible. I am going to be a PA on Toxic Avenger and I am very honored to be able to meet Evan and see his talent in person. It is amazing that he is the lead and people look past his missing leg and do not use that as more of a disadvantage to him. People with disabilities are getting more and more opportunities in theatre and we are moving in the right direction with this acceptance.
This summer, I got to be a part of the world premiere of a new play, “Cost of Living”. The play followed 4 characters and how their lives were affected by disabilities. One of the characters had cerebral palsy and the other had been in car accident where she lost the ability to walk. In the Williamstown production, the characters in the play were played by characters that actually had disabilities. It was great to see the process of this play and how technical departments and management can work, collaborate, and learn from actors with disabilities. In the past few years, there is been discussion on what responsibility the theatre has to be putting actors with disabilities on the stage and giving them a chance. And more importantly, it critical to not have actors without disabilities play a character with a disability. I am excited to see the progress that is being made here and the opportunities actors with disabilities are having, but there is still a long way to go.
I have absolutely no idea what this show is about and I am still incredibly excited for it. I first heard about it when talking to Keith, who is doing the lighting design, a few days ago. In addition to being one of the best teachers I have ever had Keith is an amazingly talented lighting designer. His true skill however lies in his ability to inspire others to love their work as he does. For Keith his passion isn’t reliant on the story he is telling, it stems from a deep seeded love of his trade and this excitement for even the simple parts of a production spreads like wildfire through a production. Each time I hear about this show it seems a little stranger but I really cannot wait until I get a chance to see it and Keith soon.
3 comments:
It is very inspirational to see someone who has gone through so much physically and mentally, pursuing his or her dreams and being successful. When Evan lost his leg he did not let that stop his dreams and passion. Most people would have given up on dancing if they lost a leg, but Evan did not give up. Of all dance forms tapping focuses the most on your feet and legs. He was able to learn how to tap dance with a peg leg, which is incredible. I am going to be a PA on Toxic Avenger and I am very honored to be able to meet Evan and see his talent in person. It is amazing that he is the lead and people look past his missing leg and do not use that as more of a disadvantage to him. People with disabilities are getting more and more opportunities in theatre and we are moving in the right direction with this acceptance.
This summer, I got to be a part of the world premiere of a new play, “Cost of Living”. The play followed 4 characters and how their lives were affected by disabilities. One of the characters had cerebral palsy and the other had been in car accident where she lost the ability to walk. In the Williamstown production, the characters in the play were played by characters that actually had disabilities. It was great to see the process of this play and how technical departments and management can work, collaborate, and learn from actors with disabilities. In the past few years, there is been discussion on what responsibility the theatre has to be putting actors with disabilities on the stage and giving them a chance. And more importantly, it critical to not have actors without disabilities play a character with a disability. I am excited to see the progress that is being made here and the opportunities actors with disabilities are having, but there is still a long way to go.
I have absolutely no idea what this show is about and I am still incredibly excited for it. I first heard about it when talking to Keith, who is doing the lighting design, a few days ago. In addition to being one of the best teachers I have ever had Keith is an amazingly talented lighting designer. His true skill however lies in his ability to inspire others to love their work as he does. For Keith his passion isn’t reliant on the story he is telling, it stems from a deep seeded love of his trade and this excitement for even the simple parts of a production spreads like wildfire through a production. Each time I hear about this show it seems a little stranger but I really cannot wait until I get a chance to see it and Keith soon.
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