OUT OF THE SHADOWS THEATER 2017
Performances Nov 17, 18, 19, 2017
OUT OF THE SHADOWS THEATER is dedicated to providing opportunities for adult actors who have physical and developmental disabilities to act in a fully staged, high production quality presentation of popular musicals in the beautiful KROC Center Theater in Coeur d'ALene, ID
Our concept provides each disabled actor with a non-disabled shadow actor who is by the actor's side throughout rehearsals and performances to provide coaching, support and prompts. An added bonus to this is the delightful relationships and friendships that have resulted between two people who might not otherwise have ever met.
Last year we launched OUT OF THE SHADOWS THEATER with our first production - "Beauty and the Beast Jr". It was an enormous success and our actors proved to a responsive audience that they have "acting chops"
This year we are producting "Fiddler on the Roof Jr" with many returning actors and some new. Our actors, now experienced, have been bitten by the theater bug!
HOW WE CAME TO BE:
It's a story I love to tell. As the child of an actress, my son attended endless auditions, rehearsals and performances, always cheerful and supportive. One day I caught his eye while I was auditioning and heard a silent voice say "When is it my turn?" And so I founded the theater company. We soon found there were many, many adutls in our community who had special needs and disabilities that had longed to act.
OUR MIRACLES
Our first production, last year, made a young lady walk. Yes, walk. Olya had been in a wheelchair her entire life. Determined to walk on stage, she doubled down on her therapy and walked on stage in her role as Babette the French maid. She took our breath away.
Toby barely sang above a whisper and we weren't sure he even knew the words his character Cogsworth was to sing. But we were determined to love whatever gift our actor brought and celebrate his best effort. Three nights before opening night, he sang out with full voicee and he knew every single word. And did every night after that.
WHAT ARE THE FUNDS FOR?
Everybody involved in this production volunteers: director, musical director, costumer, choreographers, stage manager, set designer, etc. It's a labor of love. Nobody receives a cent.
Our expenses include royalties, rehearsal space rental, theater rental, programs, costumes, building materials, etc. It all adds up but it is worth more than we ever spend.
PLEASE BE A PART OF THIS MAGIC! We believe the arts are for everyone and we proved last year that this wonderful population can accompolish masterful performances given the place, support, encouragement and opportunity!
TICKETS
This year reserved seating is availlable by purchasing tickets by donation online at the KROC Coeur d'Alene. There is at least one performance featuring an American Sign Language interpreter.
We are part of Specialized Needs Recreation, a 501 C 3 non-profit orgnization celebrating its 30th year serving our community.
