The lights dim and eyes go up as the show begins on a cold Friday night. Debuting their first ever performance, Unified Theatre introduces a new program to the school.
Promoting the importance of inclusion in performing arts, Unified Theatre welcomes any student to audition and be a part of their production. This is the program’s first year in action. Drama teacher Miller Shor, director and co-founder of the program, explains what the idea behind it is.
“It felt really important that there was an inclusive space in a theatre program,” Shor said. “Because we’re doing a lot of huge productions, and I wanted to make sure that there was space for everybody who wanted to be involved.”
Historically, theatrical performances produced by the school are typically biased toward neurotypical students, with strict expectations and very little room for exceptions. Senior Gianna Goldyn shares thoughts on the performing arts department from a student perspective.
“There are only so many roles in most of the plays and musicals that we do,” Goldyn said. “Especially if you’re someone who has some kind of disability, it doesn’t really make you likely to get those parts because it can put difficulty on dancing, on being able to follow instructions and on having the time to do the rehearsals.”
This discrimination in performing arts is a part of our community that Unified Theatre aims to lessen. It allows anyone to join with no cuts and low stress. Senior Calvin Davidson gives his thoughts on the program’s opportunities.
“It helps introduce a wider scope of people to theatre,” Davidson said. “While also making it more inclusive.”
Leading up to the date, Unified Theatre met one hour at a time and three times a week for rehearsals to not overly limit student options. With less than 10 hours of rehearsal, the production put less pressure on taking time out of the performers’ days to attend.
“Not everybody can have the same opportunities to do theatre things all the time,” Davidson said.
Unified Theatre created a diverse community that thrived in the low-stress environment. It brought together groups of students who wouldn’t usually interact with each other and supported a fuller community.
“It was really beautiful to get to see the students that I worked with all the time working with a different student population that has historically been excluded in Ballard theatre.” Shor said.
Unlike past school productions, this show was heavily student-written with assistance from staff as needed to refine the scripts and to build the set.
“It was created by the students,” Shor said. “The storylines were created by the students, the songs were chosen by the students.”
The production allowed for the freedom of creativity across many different mediums of art. From singing to a giant caterpillar act, the play stages a variety of different arts and student talents.
“I especially liked getting to see all the puppets that they made themselves,” Goldyn said.
New and rising actors and actresses took to the stage for the first time, given the opportunity to perform and showcasing their skills. Senior Kaya Scheurell, singer and first-time actress, shares her thoughts on the program and the importance of what it stands for.
“I think Unified Theatre is important because Unified Theatre is available for anyone who has disabilities,” Schuerell said. “It’s really important to me because it’s my very first time doing theatre.”
This new program has had a successful start and is expected to continue onward. The inclusive community it cultivates ensures that no student gets left out from pursuing passion and interest.
