This picture tells such a beautiful story, a Tale As Old As Time!
...rewind a few months...
There were 12 children, only 2 of which were boys. Most were even strangers to each other. Only a few had any experience performing on stage before, and none knew that on the final night, there was going to be a packed house. They were just a group of kids that wanted to be in our production of Beauty And The Beast.
They auditioned and told us the parts they wanted. They sang and danced. They got to know each other. Within a few weeks, they were best friends. They looked after each other like siblings. And with two of the leading roles cast by children on the autism spectrum, they learned love, patience, and compassion. This was a special bunch, and their story was only beginning.
...rewind a few months...
There were 12 children, only 2 of which were boys. Most were even strangers to each other. Only a few had any experience performing on stage before, and none knew that on the final night, there was going to be a packed house. They were just a group of kids that wanted to be in our production of Beauty And The Beast.
They auditioned and told us the parts they wanted. They sang and danced. They got to know each other. Within a few weeks, they were best friends. They looked after each other like siblings. And with two of the leading roles cast by children on the autism spectrum, they learned love, patience, and compassion. This was a special bunch, and their story was only beginning.
They showed up on Tuesdays and Thursdays and worked on memorizing lines, learning lyrics, and learning about timing. Some were good at projecting, while others talked as quiet as a mouse. Some were outgoing while others needed a little push. But they all loved playing games that helped them with their acting skills, and they loved being together. Over the next few months, they got better and better and really started growing into their parts. We were able to customize the show to really accent each of their abilities.
The final dress rehearsal was the day before the show. Everybody was a bit nervous. They were forgetting their lines, coming and going on stage at the wrong times, and forgetting the choreography. So we called them all together. We told them that they were one unit now. We told them that collectively, they all knew everybody's lines and should help each other. We told them that mistakes would happen, but it was no big deal, and to keep going. We told them how proud we were of them. The rest of rehearsal was better, but they were still nervous for what was to come the next day.
The final dress rehearsal was the day before the show. Everybody was a bit nervous. They were forgetting their lines, coming and going on stage at the wrong times, and forgetting the choreography. So we called them all together. We told them that they were one unit now. We told them that collectively, they all knew everybody's lines and should help each other. We told them that mistakes would happen, but it was no big deal, and to keep going. We told them how proud we were of them. The rest of rehearsal was better, but they were still nervous for what was to come the next day.
As the stage lights came on, the cast waited patiently as the narrator told the story of how the prince became the Beast and how his castle and everybody inside were transformed into objects. He had to find his true love, and she must love him back to break the spell. The opening scene was great and the song went off without a problem. The kids were all coming together and forgetting about their fears. They were on stage doing what they had practiced for months. They were having fun!
"I am so proud of him for working so hard...and I'm so very grateful for the amazing people who gave him this opportunity and the other kids who supported and encouraged him like I had never seen before," said the mom of Beast. Her son was the first recipient to use the Inspire Initiative Scholarship for our theater program.
The rest of the play was amazing and I saw many parents and grandparents with tears in their eyes. We were so proud of all of them. The pictures tell a much better story than I can, so I end it here. Enjoy!
The rest of the play was amazing and I saw many parents and grandparents with tears in their eyes. We were so proud of all of them. The pictures tell a much better story than I can, so I end it here. Enjoy!
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