Move To Include
Artists Unlimited
Special | 3m 41sVideo has Closed Captions
Theatre company Artists Unlimited, all about highlighting abilities.
There's a common assumption in our society that if you're living with a disability, you can't be artistic, you can't contribute and you can't possibly be creative. Well, these assumptions couldn't be further from the truth. Just look at local theatre company Artists Unlimited. They aren't just inclusive of people with disabilities, they're all about highlighting abilities!
Move To Include
Artists Unlimited
Special | 3m 41sVideo has Closed Captions
There's a common assumption in our society that if you're living with a disability, you can't be artistic, you can't contribute and you can't possibly be creative. Well, these assumptions couldn't be further from the truth. Just look at local theatre company Artists Unlimited. They aren't just inclusive of people with disabilities, they're all about highlighting abilities!
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Artists Unlimited is an organization unlike any I've ever heard of or seen.
I think it provides a great opportunity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to do things that they haven't been awarded the opportunities to do in the community.
Our students have the ability to speak, dance, perform and all aspects of musical theater.
The most amazing part is to watch the cast come from hiding backstage because they didn't want to come out front to today, where they've improved their vocal skills, their interpersonal skills, where they're willing to come out front.
Anthony loves it, and it's exactly what we were looking for so that Anthony can show his abilities and not what he can't do.
But what he can do.
He loves to be on stage in front of everyone.
I'm a great singer and a great dancer.
A lot of time limited.
Feels good.
There'll be another performance like this.
I get to show everyone how I'm more than a girl in an ordinary town.
I get to show off my voice, my acting, dancing, and everyone does too.
Jenna has changed in the last nine years, and she has grown into a confident young woman.
It's wonderful this organization has helped her shape into that person that she is.
This cast is so caring, so loving.
Everybody's so happy for everyone else, and they're so supportive of everybody and their passion and their love.
And that's what this group does.
Life can be hard, but when someone's on stage and I get to become someone I'm not and therefore all my troubles go away.
The reason why this works is the volunteers.
We have about 200 volunteers that are going to be backstage running and taking care of the show.
We could not do what we do every day without so many behind the scenes individuals.
Artists Unlimited is a magical experience.
It is one of awakening.
They are free of their disability.
They are free of labels.
They have the opportunity to be all that they want to be and all that.
They're being encouraged to be on stage.
So for anybody who's coming to the show, I would advise them to prepare to be amazed, to come to the show, because that's all it takes.
I don't know how many times I've had friends or even people that I see that, oh, they're bringing their kids to the show and they've walked out and they have tears in their eyes or they say, Unbelievable.
I just can't believe what you guys are doing here.
And every time at the end of the show, I come at them and say, I did it, I did it.
And my mom feels proud of me.
What my wife and I and everybody else who volunteers here sees is life being brought back to individuals with developmental disabilities.
And there's no better way than giving back to the performing Arts and Artists Unlimited.