Young artists have a wide spectrum of special needs, including Down syndrome, autism-spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy and ADHD.
Friday, September 20, 2019
Special-needs kids again take spotlight in CUTC's production of 'Frozen Jr.'
Young artists have a wide spectrum of special needs, including Down syndrome, autism-spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy and ADHD.
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Growing up, one of my best friends was diagnosed with a rare disease called Rhett’s Syndrome. She later was diagnosed with a different syndrome equally as rare. She had very little control over her own body. Through many years of therapy she has started being able to walk independently. There are some kids who have similar conditions to her such as cerebral palsy. Reading an article, from my home state may I add, about a production staring 32 individuals who have a disability makes my heart happy. I love how the theatre world is at the forefront for inclusivity and pushing boundaries to start conversations. I am proud to be part of this community. One thing the article discusses that I thoroughly enjoyed was the fact that the production had ensemble members that were mentors to the other cast members. The mentors served as friends in the cast but also as somebody to learn from and with.
This is such a beautiful thing. I have always loved this community so dearly because it is a refuge and safe space for all. My aunt was a special needs teacher for years, and she was adamant about bringing the arts into their lives. We all know how the arts have affected us, have brought us out of our shells, and have helped us grow. Why not make that world accessible to everyone who needs it. Too often, disabled children are left to the shadows, and they struggle with the valuable communication skills that theatre helps to build. This program also brings together a community that these children can have for years. We all remember our friends from our baby theatre days, why not give these children, who are already forced to deal with issues no child should have to deal with, the opportunity to just be kids with other kids.
This is such a great opportunity for special needs students. In my town at home we have a color guard group called the CT tigers that consist of a large amount of special needs students with buddies. This is really great because sometimes it is difficult for special needs kids to get any other opportunity to do fun activities like these ones. We also always casted special needs students in our spring musical. It most definitely cause some problems at some point, but our director’s viewpoint was that this could be one activity that they could actually do, so we will make it comfortable and fun for them to participate with everyone. It was a great way to connect with the ensemble, and we all learned a lot about each other. I think that this production is going to be very exciting and a lot of fun for everyone involved on all levels. I can’t wait to hear how this show turns out!
This article is very touching and warms my heart on this rough week. seeing the joy in the faces of those children taking part in an art form that is something that I too am a part of makes me think why things like this are not a larger part of what we do. there are a lot of educational organizations out there in this world that have the ability to assist and help make things like this happen more often. The major problem that I think the larger organizations have is that they do not see the money in it and thus do not give it a second thought. However, this is something that I have a passion for and want to see more of in this world. I hope that events like this and opportunity for those who struggle in this world with disabilities are given more acceptance in the performance side of this industry.
It is so important that kids of different abilities are allowed the same opportunities as abled kids are. It is not uncommon that disabled kids are looked at as different and excluded from the mainstream, often thought as not capable of some activity. This is entirely untrue. Weather it is a physical or learning disability, this will not hold back a person from their goals; others should not assume they are not able. There is a general public connotation, I believe, that us as abled people need to help people with disabilities, that they are helpless and need saving. This again, is untrue. For these kids to get the opportunity at the theatre, as well as connect with other people their age possible going through similar things, is so important in their growing up. I think it is also important for these kids to be able to see adults with disabilities on professional stage, like it is for POC kids to see POC actors, to know they can do it.
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