Kaleidoscope is a musical theatre workshop for teens and adults with developmental disabilities offered in partnership with the Asolo Repertory Theatre and Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities. This groundbreaking five-week intensive summer workshop teaches its 18 unique and talented participants acting, movement, music and art, culminating in joyous performances before thrilled audiences. Talented graduates of the workshop are invited to join a year-round touring company which is available for performances throughout the community.
This program could not exist without the help of our dedicated volunteers. For more information about volunteering with this innovative program, call 941-351-9101 Ext. 3320 or email Brian_Hersh@asolo.org.
Want the Touring Company to come to you? Contact the Kaleidoscope coordinator at 941-355-8808 Ext. 258 to book a performance.
Program Information
Kaleidoscope is an innovative musical theatre workshop that provides teens and adults with developmental disabilities an opportunity to perform an original play and become part of a year-round touring company. Developed in partnership between the Asolo Repertory Theatre , a not-for-profit professional theatre, and Children's Haven and Adult Community Services Inc., a not-for-profit human services agency, the result of this collaboration is an extraordinary program with educational, institutional, personal and community benefits. Kaleidoscope combines the expertise of each organization in a program which profoundly affects the quality of life of the participants. It has broken new ground in using art to build life-skills, raise self-esteem and achieve clinical goals with amazing results.
Our staff of talented artistic and clinical professionals works well as a team and communicate complicated ideas with warmth, clarity and simplicity. Artistic and clinical staff works together at each step of the way within the structure of the program. Community volunteers and student interns are an important component of the team. The artistic staff includes a program administrator, acting teacher/director, music/voice teacher, dance teacher/choreographer, art teacher, stage manager, and volunteer coordinator. The clinical staff includes a clinical director and three client support staff.
Classes include acting, voice, music, movement and arts/crafts. Acting classes use standard acting exercises leading to growth in areas of concentration, observation, "presence," poise and consistency. Movement classes include warm-ups, stage movement and dance. Voice and music classes cover singing, memorization, speech modulation, articulation, intonation and projection. Arts and crafts classes, which are used to create artwork for the set, costumes, program and decorate the lobby and entrances to the theatre, provide an additional creative outlet for participants. The program begins with a five-week summer workshop limited to 18 participants who are carefully screened for attitude, capabilities and potential. The disabilities range from moderate to profound and fall into many categories, including persons with Downs Syndrome, mental retardation, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, and various other mental, physical and emotional disabilities.
After a careful selection process, and months of planning, classes begin. On behavioral issues, the clinical team advises and guides. In the artistic areas, goals are set and worked toward by artistic staff. Artistic and clinical staff work together at all times to ensure the actors progress. The goals are high and the challenges significant. At the daily staff meeting each actor's artistic and clinical progress is evaluated, approaches are refined and goals may be revised or reinforced. Weeks of preparation and rehearsal culminate in joyous performances for cheering audiences.
The touring company, which begins rehearsals in early fall, is the necessary next step for "graduates" of the program. As the workshop grew in popularity, we had to turn many applicants away. The touring company was conceived as a way to make room for new participants. It also provided a goal for participants: an opportunity for veterans of the program to continue their personal growth, meeting new challenges as they perform in different venues for different audiences. Acceptance into the touring company is the culmination of years of hard work and accomplishment, and becomes a badge of pride for these talented performers. As the touring company performs for schools, churches, and community organizations, they carry the message that these actors are (in the words of a member of the company) "handi-capable" rather than handicapped.
The outcomes for Kaleidoscope performers are often remarkable: they improve in projection, modulation and vocal expression; strengthen their concentration; learn that emotions can be called up and appropriately expressed; and widen their physical range. They also strengthen their ability to concentrate and memorize, develop poise, gain confidence, apply new techniques in creative design and triumph over intimidating situations. Kaleidoscope performers experience the pride and satisfaction that come with recognition and success. They have a sense of intense personal accomplishment, frequently surpassing their own and others' expectations. They learn to tap into their creative souls and have the thrill of performing in a successful theatrical production in a real theatre. Almost all make significant progress in areas of physical, vocal and mental limitations; build new life-skills; gain employability skills; and are ultimately empowered as human beings.
For the staff, the experience of seeing someone speak words for the first time, hug another person for the first time, face and overcome intense phobias, rise above the damage of severe brain trauma, write and perform their own material, and realize a dream, brings a satisfaction that is almost indescribable. Audiences ride a roller coaster between tears, laughter and admiration. Everyone wins in this remarkable program.
For more information about volunteering with this innovative program, call 941-351-9010 Ext. 3320 or email Brian_Hersh@asolo.org.
Want the Touring Company to come to you? Contact the Kaleidoscope coordinator at 941-355-8808 Ext. 258 to book a performance.