the UNIFIED THEATER blog
creating student-led theater groups that let young people with and without disabilities shine.
Posts by Micaela Connery, Exec. Director.
All content: © Unified Theater®, Inc
Henry James Middle School presents ‘Dreams’!
“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” Steve Jobs
School of the Future Unified Theater rockstars with Chancellor Walcott right before performing at the NYC Department of Ed Inclusive Education Summit!
“Things are better. Life is richer. Everything means more. Beauty is more beautiful. He’s a beautiful person. And I’m so happy to have been Zach Sobiech’s mom.”
The skies gained a bright star and a talented musician today. It’s time for Zach Sobiech to fly a little higher. We’ll honor you with your music Zach…
We just got another @alexandani Charity by Design donation in the mail. Overwhelmed with gratitude for the generosity and support for our Alex and Ani friends in Rhode Island.
When you think of the corporate world, what comes to mind? Is it a tall man in a suit and tie? Is your boss an ice queen? These stereotypes of the workplace are slowly shedding away; companies are seeing the benefit bringing different personalities, perspectives, backgrounds, and abilities into their offices and operations.
In her article, “Lowe’s Ramps Up Disability Inclusion,” Owen discusses her business “Opportunity Works, ” a program that finds adults with disabilities employment in the workforce. Instantly, within the first paragraph of the article, I admired Owen’s ability to shatter stereotypes within the corporate world and fight traditional bureaucracy. But as I read more of the article, I realized that Own did create Opportunity Works to “change government systems, but to improve the employment rate of people with disabilities. We can’t do this alone. We need customers, other employers to start recognizing the value of including disability in the workplace.” Owen is not trying to fight bureaucracy. Owen is not trying to take away the “corporate” stereotype, she is trying to include everyone and make everyone realize the benefits of inclusion. Owen modestly also recognizes that she is part of a greater solution to change people’s attitudes about inclusion. In fact, Owen’s perspective on her nonprofit “Opportunity Works” shows true inclusion. Owen does not take credit for starting to change corporate attitudes and acknowledges everyone who contributed to this solution.
Because companies are not mandated by certain acts or not pressured into the program, the companies themselves are driven to change. There is no outside force compelling them to change, companies on their own realize that it will be more successful when people of “all abilities” use their skills to collaborate together. The first company to practice the inclusion model was Walgreens. Lowes administrators even visited Walgreens to learn “first handily” how to accommodate people with disabilities and, before consulting Owen, already organized different accommodations.
Unified Theater is a part of a greater solution that changes attitudes and promotes positive understandings of the value of people with disabilities and inclusion on its own. Middle and high school students such as the students in Unified Theater, demonstrate the benefits and values of inclusion. Thank you to all of the Unified Theater students who demonstrated that the inclusion model is the only model. You guys are truly the role models!
Check out the these behind the scenes clips and pics from last week’s tour!
Sunny Monday morning in the office. How will you #shine this week?
… and still a few more!
… some more of today’s Hall of Famers
Today Unified Theater, in partnership with our Affiliate Hartford Stage, toured around Hartford with 25 students of all abilities from eight different schools.
One of the songs the students rockstars performed was ‘Hall of Fame’ (choreographed by Kayla!). And, as part of their theme, they all made their own Hall of Fame plaques…
And here’s the thing that makes me super excited as I look through these… no two plaques look the same. We’ve got dazzling dancers, and master painters, and mustachioed architects, and smiling baseball players, and captivating pianists, and tough football stars, and star singers, and thoughtful listeners, and beautiful bakers, and track speed daemons, and so so much more…
From Shakespeare’s “This above all: to thine own self be true.” to Lady Gaga’s “Do not allow people to dim your shine because they are blinded. Tell them to put on some sunglasses, cuz we were born this way!“… Perhaps our greatest desire in life is to be loved, recognized, and embraced for exactly who we are. To be celebrated for our abilities each and every moment.
We change. We evolve. We move on and move up. We are perfectly imperfect.
But, in each moment, as we dance around the sun, the most beautiful and perfect gift we can give each-other is to say: Be you — who you are, where you are, right now. I know that you can SHINE!
Robert, Megan, and Ryan pack up Megan’s jeep after a long and awesome day of touring! All smiles! Together, we put the Spotlight on Ability! @hartfordstage @heyryanleys
Students from NYC School of the Future doing visual models of #Integration vs. #Inclusion as part of our ‘Get Included’ curriculum.
Who’s ready for the CT/RI @Starbucks Unified Theater Inclusion Celebration this weekend?! Come to your local store on Sunday between 11-3 with friends of all abilities, make an Ability Cup and get a free brewed coffee or passion tea!
