Theatre Development Fund – TDF: Of the many breakups, breakdowns, and breakthroughs featured in Uncommon Sense, Tectonic Theater Project's new play about people on the autism spectrum, cast member Andrew Duff's favorite scene involves "Noodle Night." Dan, who's on the spectrum, invites Sarah, who has no official diagnosis, to dinner, but when he has trouble using his fork, she tosses hers away and they both dig in with their hands, feeding each other, getting wildly playful, and ending up in a kiss. "It's a moment of connecting and understanding without a need for words," says Duff. "They accept each other for the way they are."
2 comments:
This article makes me particularly happy because it tries to show the many different sides of Autism. Both television and theater don’t have a lot of representation on the topic. I like that this show faces the issues head on and has variety of characters, because often there is a tendency to stereotype the autism spectrum into a single identity. Also it normalizes the autism spectrum, because it seems as though the play tells stories about people who happen to have to be on the autism spectrum rather than the other way around. I am also intrigued what it means, “To allow an audience collectively to see and hear and feel a little bit of what someone on the spectrum may see and hear and feel.” The conundrum of showing someone’s thoughts, is one of the most challenging in theater. I would love to see how they address the issue of showing a mental state.
This is so eye opening. It is hard to imagine what it is like to actually suffer from autism and be on the spectrum. This article really does a great job detailing what it was like for Duff to grow up not speaking until he was five. The moment when he spoke for the first time must have been truly extraordinary for his parents to experience. Moreover the theater should be applauded for a producing a show that touches on and highlights such an important issue that is very undercovered in the arts and entertainment. So many people suffer from autism and have no control over it, so it is important people see what living with autism is like. It must be especially powerful to see a performer who is actually on the spectrum perform and try to deliver a powerful message that it is ok to be different.
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