Detour Company Theatre – a Theatre Troupe for Adults with Special Needs

 For several years now, Andrew has participated in a group called Detour Company Theatre.  It is a unique program that started in 2000 and is dedicated to serving the needs of adults with special needs like cognitive impairment, cerebral palsy, blindness, autism, and on and on.  Andrew has loved it, and we have seen a great deal of growth in his self-confidence over the years as a result of this program. 

The company produces two shows per year.  It takes about 16 weeks to stage one show, and usually summers are “off” because of the heat and family commitments of the actors and coaches.  Recent shows have included South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof, The Little Mermaid, Oklahoma, Into the Woods, Mary Poppins, Hairspray, and many others.  The lines are sometimes simplified to make them easier to say, but the concepts remain.  Themes of exclusion, working to make a dream come true, and prejudice have been explored by this company to the benefit of the actors, coaches, and the community at large.

Thanks to grants, tickets are free, which means even my large family can attend with no problem.  The group sells show t-shirts and advertising space in the show programs, in addition to seeking grants, to keep themselves self-supporting. 

Opportunities in the performing arts for adults with special needs are hard to come by, and we are very grateful that Detour Company Theatre exists and has made a home for Andrew.  He even met his girlfriend through the company – she’s also an actor.  They have played couples on stage on several occasions.

For more information about Detour Company Theatre specifically, head on over to http://www.dctaz.org/. 

 

What performing arts programs are available in your area?  Does your adult child participate?  How has it affected him/her?  How does your child creatively express him or her self?