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ArtStream OnStage Presents: Inclusive Theatre Companies
ArtStream's Inclusive Theatre Companies are scripted performing companies specially designed for adults with intellectual disabilities.
- About
- What is Required at Auditions?
- Where Are They Held?
- Who Can Join?
- How Does It Fit My Schedule?
- How Much Does It Cost?
- Who Comes To the Shows?
- How Else Can I Get Involved?
The companies are directed by trained theatre professionals. An original script is developed during the rehearsal process through improvisation techniques. A play is scripted and then blocked, memorized by the actors and performed for the public. The final production is designed to showcase each actor’s unique talents.
Each company will be limited to 15 people. Actors who are between the Gaithersburg location and Silver Spring location are urged to join the Silver Spring company.
Inclusive Theatre Companies require an audition in order to participate.
What is required at auditions?
Actors will be expected to prepare a short piece. This can be a song, a poem, a monologue or a dance. The directors may also lead some acting or movement exercises for the group.
Where Do Inclusive Theatre Companies Rehearse and Perform?
- Arlington Inclusive Theatre Companies
- Silver Spring Inclusive Theatre Companies
- Gaithersburg Inclusive Showcase
- Gaithersburg Inclusive Theatre Companies
- Raleigh Inclusive Theatre Companies
Who Can Join?
Inclusive Theatre Companies are designed for adults (18+) with intellectual disabilities.
We welcome both experienced and inexperienced actors.
We welcome actors of all physical abilities. All ArtStream rehearsal and performance spaces are completely accesible. Directors are experienced in creating characters and blocking for actors who use wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, etc. You will still get to dance and perform to the best of your abilities!
Participants must be able to function in large groups of 25-30 people with 1:4 staffing, be self-ambulatory, be able to independentaly meet self-care needs, be able to follow directions, and have no self-injurous behaviors.
How Does It Fit My Schedule?
Actors are required to attend weekly rehearsals. These two-hour rehearsals are important for making decisions about topics, creating characters, building character relationships, improvising scenes, discovering plot twists, learning music, choreography and blocking, rehearsing and supporting your fellow cast members.
Actors are absolutely required to attend all nightly tech rehearsals during tech week. These three-hour rehearsals are vital to finalizing blocking and choreography and working with sounds, lights, set, props and costumes.
Actors must attend all performances. Performances are held on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in Arlington and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in Silver Spring, Gaithersburg and Raleigh. Most companies perform for two weekends in a row.
How Much Does It Cost?
Inclusive Theatre Companies in Arlington, Gaithersburg and Silver Spring cost $575 per person for a full six-month process. To keep this in perspective, tuition only covers about one-third of our full operating costs for an Inclusive Theatre Company. This helps us pay for staff, rent spaces and buy sets, props and costuming items.
Payment plans and scholarships are available. Participants will never be turned away because they are unable to pay. For questions about tuition, please contact Jennie Lutz at j.lutz@art-stream.org.
Who Comes to the Shows?
Family and friends of actors and staff. Friends of ArtStream. Members of the public. Inclusive Theatre Companies are a major flagship program for ArtStream. These performances are a great way for use to introduce our programming to people who are interested in joining the ArtStream family.
How Else Can I Get Involved with Inclusive Theatre Companies?
ArtStream has a comprehensive volunteering program with Inclusive Theatre Companies for both onstage and backstage volunteers.
Parents and friends of our actors may also volunteer to help with front of house responsibilities the nights of the performances. They may work at the box office, sell merchandise or concessions.
Learn about volunteering with ArtStream!
We also hire theatre professionals from the DC Area to assistant direct, work with costumes, sets and lights.
Learn about working for ArtStream!
- Topics: disabilities, inclusive, theatre
