In a theatrical initiative at Bryn Mawr, performers with disabilities candidly share their experiences, breaking free from traditional constraints.
Hangin' with Flynn Dorney and his Acting Without Boundaries crew outside The Haverford School!
This 7-year-old's first year in the program's acting extravaganza has been a blast. Besides starring in plays he wrote himself, Flynn has found his groove on stage and in the sound booth, too. But for this kid with cerebral palsy and visual impairment, it's so much more than just cracking open a show.
This badass afterschool program has become a wholesome community where he and others find a boost in self-confidence. Flynn raves, "It's just so much fun and everyone is so kind. It makes me feel like I'm not alone." Meredith Dorney, Flynn's mom, called it a "life-changer" for both of them—especially since Flynn felt out of place in traditional classroom settings.
Now, Flynn's blossoming like the blooming Fluke he portrayed on stage and bringing that newfound swagger to his academic pursuits. Thanks, Acting Without Boundaries!
Founded on Inclusion and Growth
Headed up by Maria Ceferatti, Acting Without Boundaries was born in 2004 from a little summer program spark in Maine. With an amazing focus on inclusivity, the program has spent the last two decades getting kids who've faced adversity center stage.
Maria stepped in just a year later, bringing her music expertise to the table and keeping things running smoothly. With her son Simon Bonenfant, who's blind, taking part in the productions for the past 20 years, it's obvious this program's a loving, vibrant, and familial community.
In fact, drama class might even help with high schoolers' SAT scores! In a study by the American Alliance for Theatre & Education, students in the program outscored the national average on SAT verbal and math scores. Plus, acting in drama boosts self-esteem and communication skills.
Growth through Acting
Take Addison Evans, the 14-year-old Pennfield Middle School student born with congenital myotonic muscular dystrophy. After her parents got involved with Acting Without Boundaries, her reading comprehension took off in ways they never expected. Now, she's reading books meant for older kids, crushing her IEP meetings, and loving every second of it.
Her parents Craig and Lauren Evans also made sure she was involved in other afterschool activities beyond Acting Without Boundaries, such as karate and soccer, to ensure she felt like any other kid.
Rehearsal Time = Fun Time
If Neill Hartley, artistic director of the program, has one rule for rehearsals, it's that everyone should have a great time. And by that, he means it's okay to take your time learning lines, but everyone's expected to commit to being open-minded and receptive to stage direction. Plus, it's all about embracing the humanity over perfection.
During the rehearsals, Neill encourages actors in wheelchairs to position themselves as best as possible, helps actors read their lines smoothly, and offers plenty of support. You're not gonna find Hollywood-level pressure here—just a whole lot of camaraderie, encouragement, and goofing off!
Raising the Bar: High Expectations on Stage
But that doesn't mean that Acting Without Boundaries lowers the bar! Far from it. Participants are encouraged to push themselves to achieve their personal best on stage. And with nearly 15% of all public school students in Pennsylvania receiving special education-related services, it's crucial that programs like this exist to help fill the gaps in schools when it comes to accommodating students with disabilities.
In fact, Neill's personal connection with the program runs deep—his brother has "special needs," and he remembers vividly the struggles his mom faced trying to get him accommodated in school. And while 7.5 million students receive special education services nationally, many schools are still having trouble hiring special education teachers.
Cheers and Chat
At Acting Without Boundaries, it's all about cheering each other on and having a blast with one another. Seven-year-old Benjamin Fagioli, who's been diagnosed with cortical visual impairment, has found his place as he's come out of his shell. His mom, Jacquelyn Fagioli, says the program has given them both the outlet they've needed as Benjamin attends school for children with visual impairments.
So, if you're in the Philly, Pa. suburbs, South Jersey, or Delaware, spill the tea! What do you want our website to cover? Let us know! 😄😄😄
- The Acting Without Boundaries program, founded in 2004, has a strong focus on inclusivity and has spent over two decades helping children who've faced adversity to take center stage.
- Headed by Maria Ceferatti, the program is a loving, vibrant, and familial community, with drama class potentially boosting high schoolers' SAT scores and improving self-esteem and communication skills.
- In the program, students like Addison Evans, who has congenital myotonic muscular dystrophy, have seen significant improvements in their academic performances, in this case, reading comprehension.
- At Acting Without Boundaries, rehearsals are all about having fun while being open-minded and receptive to stage direction. Everyone, regardless of their abilities, is encouraged to push themselves to achieve their personal best on stage.
