As this tweet got big, I should allay one likely concern. It is not 12th night + 1 ‘autistic’ role. The teachers send us the script but my understanding is this followed a process where the children created and adapted their own characters, based on their strengths.
— Naomi Rovnick 歐蜜 (@naomi_rovnick) February 1, 2022
The drama group have now done this v good blog about how they work. They don't audition the kids but adapt the environment for them and build their confidence. (Performance at work is often linked to self esteem and feeling accepted too): https://t.co/0OzQ7bevHV
— Naomi Rovnick 歐蜜 (@naomi_rovnick) February 2, 2022
When I moved to Colorado, I ended up teaching acting classes to all age groups, but one of my favorites was my evening adults class. I had folks across ages and careers – you probably wouldn’t be surprised how many electrical and mechanical engineers have a deep artistic side.
One semester I received a phone call asking me if I would be okay if John joined our class – John has Down Syndrome – and really wanted to take the class. I thought about it for a day. I wasn’t worried about John, I was more concerned I would fail him. But I was up for it if he was.
It was the best class I ever taught. My students lined up to be his scene partners, and we all thought outside the box in order to make it successful. He brought joy and laughter and talent to each night. And on the last night of class, he told me it was one of the best experiences of his life. It was one of mine, too. I cried all the way home.
In wildlife news (good news site provided by Madeleine) LA is getting a wildlife crossover: