people with disabilities in theatre

Hi All,

I have a child with Down's Syndrome who is crazy about theatre, and in particular musicals. His speech isn't good, ( after you spend time with him you can understand odd words, spend a long time with him and you can understand sentences ) but his expression is very good. I would be interested to hear from anyone who has had experience with people with disabilities in the theatre, as I would like to involve "Bryn" in some way, in the near future.

regards
Martin

Hi Martin -

I work part-time as an occupational therapist to support my 'acting habit', and I specialise in school aged kids with disabilities. To keep myself interested I regularly incorporate drama ideas and theatre sports into therapy sessions! Your boy is not the only kid with Down Syndrome with a dramatic streak I've come across - young Mitchell (6yrs) who I work with does one of the finest 'I'm going on a bear hunt's I've ever seen, and Donald, a 19 year old client I worked with, recently toured Asia with his dance group, Vamped.

Your best contact is DADAA (Disability in the Arts Disadvantage in the Arts, Australia). I'm not sure which state you're in but DADAA is active in virtually every state (just check your phone book - it's generally listed under the acronym only). Chair of the national DADAA is DADAA WA's very own Artistic Director David Doyle. They offer courses in all facets of the performing arts, for all ages and ability levels. They also put on at least one major production per year incorporating singing, dancing and acting.

You can go to their website at:

Another option is to look for a private speech pathologist, who may be able to combine drama activities with articulation and metalinguistic exercises. Speech pathologists are trained in drama therapy as part of their course so this may be another option, to address both his dramatic and speech needs. Shop around or get in contact with the Speech Pathology Association in your state and see if they have any recommendations. Many speech pathologists are also singing teachers, so this may be another way for your son to explore his passion.

Depending upon how old he is, you may also want to enrol him in some kind of kids' dancing classes. In my experience, kids with Down Syndrome can generally hold their own with kids their own age without disabilities in terms of coordination, except that they tend to be a little low-tone - but hence very flexible, a distinct advantage in dance! Some kind of gymnastics may also be good, and the motor planning and sequencing skills he would develop as being a part of this will contribute immesurably to his acquisition of reading and writing. Furthermore, the involvement of a person with a disbability in a mainstream community group can only help to raise awareness of disability in the community and in the arts, and shatter the many misconceptions there are.

Sorry to go on and on, but performing and disability awareness are my two passions in life - good luck!

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Hi Martin

I'll echo Amanda's comments regarding your son's potential and particularly her point about considering introducing your son to a supportive mainstream community theatre group.

Since starting with Theatre of Difference in 1985 i've worked, on and off, with a broad range of peple with disabilities, and in particular people with Down Syndrome. In my experience they share the same joy and excitement that many others draw from the opportunities performing presents. I've seen parents, siblings and work colleagues astonished by stage performances they never would have dreamt possible. You're probably already aware of the boost to self esteem that accompanies this kind of admiration.

I've not found DAADA(WA) anywhere near as useful as it should be. One of my criticisms to DAADA(WA) board members over several years has been that the organisation could serve its members far better by providing more of a coordinating role within the state, raising awareness of the breadth of opportunities for people with disabilities to involve themselves in the arts and advocating more in the community for the involvement of people with disabilities - rather than pushing the commercial barrow of it's own classes, courses and performances. In my experience, DAADA(WA) has had a poor knowledge of opportunities in the community available for people with disabilities beyond the services it provides.

So if you find DAADA(WA) don't offer something in your area, their classes are too expensive or don't match your son's needs, shop around! There are many small groups around Perth that will provide a supportive environment within which your son can realise much of his potential. If you're not too far out of the metro area, a call to Recreation Network (http://rec.net.au/) - a FREE leisure counselling and referral service - could point you in the direction of opportunties close to home that may be suitable for your son.

Cheers
Grant

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Further to Grant's comments...Do look at your local community theatre groups. As a reviewer, I get to a lot of different independent theatre productions and I have seen two different actors with Down Syndrome on stage in Perth in the last 12 months or so and there may well have been others with disabilities whom I failed to notice.
One of the standout productions of a lifetime's theatre going was "My Brother is So God" which was on at NIDA in the early nineties. It was directed and written by Carlton Lamb and featured a young actor with DS by the name of Saxon ????. (Sorry can't remember the surname...but it must be some 10 yrs). Was a brilliant and dynamic performance. I see a HEAP of theatre but this show was truly amazing

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Hi, I just happened upon your question through google... looks like it was posted a long time ago, but maybe you are still interested in responses. I am the artistic director of a group of young adults who have developmental disabilities. One of my troupe members is a young man, 20 years old who has Down Syndrome. He is most verbal when he has a puppet or two in hand or the microphone. At this moment, he becomes a story-teller and he holds the audience's attention. Often, without these elements, he is unable to start conversations or engage very much. Although, he has greatly increased his ability to carry on a conversation after 4 years and 4 public performances. I started the group by beginning a monthly open-mike cabaret in our community. The group is called: The Rainbow Players and you can see more about us at www.lsse.org . Follow the clicks to Open Arms programs. I don't know where you are, but I would be happy to support you in starting such opportunities in your area. Theater can allow a non-verbal person to become verbal. I have seen it in my group. ok, hope this helps. My email is: bluheron222@yahoo.com

Ezzell