Partners in Arts Participation

Historically, Home and Community Options faced issues for clients with disabilities having access the arts in a venue that was appropriate for their understanding. Secondly, limited resources for appropriately staffing arts activities was a barrier. This Grant allowed us to engage professional artists from Great River Shakespeare and Winona Oratorio into valued and adapted experiences in acting and singing to engage participants at everyone's ability. Great appreciation/enjoyment was observed during the six acting and singing activities with a total of 53 participants with disabilities involved in this opportunity (goal was 35). With the staffing funds from the grant individuals with disabilities were able to participate in the music and acting experiences and then 20 individuals (goal of 12) auditioned and were selected into the cast of the community musical, Seussical. Three individuals of the 20 had speaking roles in the musical and all were integrated into a cast of seventy. 2: Home and Community Options has core values of establishing experiences for people with disabilities that have true community integration and develop natural relationships with others in the community, especially with those who are friends and neighbors. The production of Seussical as a community theater event allowed us to integrate our clients with disabilities directly into the community arts. More than 2,700 people engaged or observed this experience and 20 individuals with disabilities were cast members in a cast of 70. In addition, 42 other individuals with disabilities had community integrated experiences using the theater experience by performing emcee, greeter, back stage, vending or set building experiences. The musical was a complete sell out for the six performances and community people gained an understanding of how people with disabilities can be involved in contributing and valued ways within the community. The musical also had 22 children involved in the show.