Special needs night out
Recently a DH column entailed the crafting of costume pieces for the Knowlton Players’ production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat that hit the stage for its final performance on the weekend. This experience afforded me the privilege of watching the cast make their way through portions of rehearsals – a sneakpeek at what was to come.
As planning began, Lucy Hoblyn, busy with directing all aspects of the production, asked if my son Angus would be attending. She hoped that in spite of our challenges with Autism that Angus would be interested in the show. I enthusiastically replied that we would definitely be attending, and that he loves live theatre and performances. She said that she truly hoped to make this an inclusive experience. I was so moved by that effort. Special needs families sometimes struggle to find social and entertainment events that accommodate our needs.
I suggested that we open up the invitation to Angus’s friends at Masseyvanier High School, and with the help of administration and staff, the invitation was sent out. A supper experience first, followed by the play was what we had in mind.
A phone call came in from another student’s mum. She was overjoyed to hear that he was invited. His name is Christopher. As one of the first students I met in Angus’s group at Massey-vanier, I was familiar with Christopher. He is talkative and knowledgeable about many different topics. He flows well with conversation and asks questions when he is uncertain or unaware about something. He is polite, kind and has true leadership qualities. He looks out for his fellow students, has a sense of duty related to their well-being and their personal development. I had experienced this first-hand as Christopher often reported to me at the end of the school day about Angus’s experiences at school.
I was as thrilled that he would attend with us as his mum was that he was invited.
On Thursday evening we got home from school, got changed and relaxed for a few minutes; then we headed into town to pick up Christopher. We headed to Pizzeria Lac Brome – a favourite spot of ours for yummy comfort food.
Christopher proudly showed us how he had worn a nice burgundy dress shirt for the occasion. He and my youngest son, Leo, talked about Lego Batman video games, and exchanged on their interests. I could sense that Angus wasn’t really sure what was going on – his expression seemed to ask, “Why is Christopher with us? He is someone I see at school.” He adjusted however, and gobbled up his supper, and part of mine. I’m learning all about how growing teenage boys never seem to stop eating.
When it was nearly show-time, we climbed back into the car to head around the corner to Theatre Lac-brome, with its beautiful new lobby, where our special evening continued.
Since I had already purchased our tickets, we were able to make our way to our seats. We crossed paths with Townships performer Amos Joannides, contestant on last year’s edition of La Voix singing competition show. I had to laugh, as the first time I met Amos was in 1994, when the Knowlton Players put on Joseph the last time – where he played the role of Benjamin, the youngest brother. Christopher was starstruck to meet Amos, having tuned in to La Voix.
The lights went down and the show went up. The three boys were spellbound, chuckling in the right moments, taken in by the great songs, the dancing, silliness, more serious moments and the story.
I felt so grateful that I after many years of struggling with social experiences with Angus, that here we were, as he enjoyed a theatrical performance along with everyone else, welcomed by the very folks who were putting the performance on, with a friend in attendance to boot.
We live in times where many folks are more aware of special needs. They are also increasingly making attempts to integrate and invite those individuals to be part of things. There is an understanding and a shift in values that is so welcome.
As the Knowlton Players put on a perfect performance (any flubs were certainly not evident to my eyes), to an audience that laughed, clapped, cheered and were on their feet by the end of the show, I felt that I was privileged once again to witness two special things – this fantastic show and two young men who could easily find themselves on the fringe instead included in the crowd of theatre-goers.
Here’s to making an effort to help others be part of the fun, and thank you to Lucy Hoblyn and the Knowlton Players for taking the time in the mayhem of organizing such a fabulous performance to make sure this was open to all. The memories associated with all of the work on this production and the fun the greater community experienced includes an unforgettable experience for us in other ways too.