Count me in—Disability in the arts
How about watching a group that includes kids with disabilities perform on stage?
The 2022 film called “I Am Able” is available as a free stream from US Public Broadcasting System (PBS). “I Am Able”—which is also known as “I AM disABLEd—is a production of FreshFilms and was featured at SxSW (the annual arts festival) and will be shown repeatedly at a special event called “Inclusion in the Arts” at The Putnam Museum and Science Center in Davenport, Iowa.
Marlee Maitlin, the Academy Award winning actor, is slated to deliver a keynote address on 19 August 2026 just before one of the screenings. If I was within a couple hours drive from The Putnam, I would go to this!
Fresh Films collaborated with The Penguin Project Foundation on this film. The Penguin Project provides opportunities for children and youths with disabilities to participate in community theater. Participation provides both the opportunities for inclusion and for therapeutic gains. There are dozens of chapters around the US and they offer great chances of our kids to participate in theater as well as for we advocates and supporters to volunteer to make things work.
The film
This is the tease for the film:
I Am Able follows the journey of nine youth with disabilities as they stage the musical “Seussical”. As these young artists take center stage, the spotlight shines on their abilities and similarities to all of us.
And this is the trailer from YouTube:
Readers who have access to the streams of PBS can see the entire show for free. “I AM disABLEd” is airing at the time of this post. Go to “I AM disABLEd” on PBS to watch.
FreshFilms is provides opportunities for youth to learn about producing TV and film. In this production, many of the participants were individuals who had diagnoses such as bipolar, autism, Down syndrome, and other disabilities familiar to readers of SET. But, watching the film, it’s clear that these kids are having a ball. Sure, there are low points, and they are not glossily ignored, but the kids tell the viewers in their own words, what a wonderful opportunity they had.
Broader perspective
This film is essentially a documentary. It is about the theatrical experiences, but it’s about a whole lot more. The interviews are frank, with parents and lots saying right to camera what they hoped and feared about both their experiences as part of the theatrical troop and their day-to-day lives. Be prepared for scenes that may make you laugh, cringe, or cry.
Who are the orgs?
Although Fresh Films is not new in the production space (it’s been around since at least 2017), it is yet another example of a group making opportunities of individuals with disabilities. There have been many others for many years all around Earth. For example, there have been theater companies connected to the disability community since the 1960s. Among them are (a) Back to Back Theatre (1988 - Australia), Graeae Theatre Company (UK, 1988), Theatre Terrific (Canada, 1985), the National Theater of the Deaf (US. 1967). Phamaly (US, 1989). I encourage readers to find local instances of such work and support them.
Special Education Today supports inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the arts. Our kids should have opportunities to see art that includes individuals with disabilities and to participate in productions. That includes representations of individuals with disabilities in theater, film, TV, music, etc. and also individuals with disabilities working as actors, musicians, and more. Here are a few previous posts about this topic; please see them (and note that some may be behind the paywall):
News: CODA opens in wide release: What’s the story about a singer raised in a deaf family?
Melding art, ASL, and accessibility: Can you make it all the way through 3 min without liking this message?
Guardian feature article on actors with Down syndrome: What can we learn from people with disabilities in mass media?
Singing in sign: Is it enough to get me to watch the Stupid Bowl?
An ordinary, unusual film: What is Ola - En helt vanlig uvanlig fyr?