Theater seen as outlet for kids
Children with autism express themselves through acting.
It all began in the summer of 2013 as part of Katie O’Leary’s honors program at Bowling Green State University, where she was majoring in special education with a minor in theater.
“It was centered around the research involving the positive effects theater can have for a child with autism on social and behavioral goals,” explains O’Leary, who is from Vandalia. “The theater itself has so many different pieces. I truly believe there is a place for everyone to benefit.”
For her honors project, O’Leary proposed a summer Autism Theatre Project. The idea was to help children with autism express themselves through acting.
Now, three summers later, Brighter Connections Theatre continues to thrive. You can see the results Saturday and June 28 when this year’s troupe of 8- to 14-year-olds takes the stage at the Dayton Theatre Guild to present “Lessons in Being a Kid.”
Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.
O’Leary is currently raising funds in order to establish her group as a nonprofit that can seek grants.
“I want to grow the program — add directors and volunteers — and expand it to other cities as well,” she explained.
Finding a home
O’Leary, who was active in Muse Machine when she was in high school, initially shared her idea with the Dayton Theatre Guild’s Carol Finley, who
was president of that theater at the time. “Carol talked to her board and they agreed to let me use their space — both for rehearsals and our final presentation,” Katie said. “And they don’t charge us, which is awesome!”
Finley said her board is always eager to provide an introduction to theater to those who wouldn’t have the experience otherwise.
“I’m always proud to be a member of the Theatre Guild’s board, but especially so when they unanimously vote to continue the program for autistic youngsters,” she said.
She’s attended the Brighter Connections Theatre performances and said she’s always amazed by the end product.
“Each young person has an opportunity to be part of a vignette, or to deliver dialogue solo with the support of a staff member. Even nearly non-verbal youngsters are successful with delivery of a monologue or participate in a short dialogue.”
Building a show
O’Leary said she uses a lot of role play and social stories to discuss appropriate mannerisms and social skills that come naturally to most, but can be a struggle for those with autism. “In BCT rehearsals, we give students a safe space to practice starting conversations with someone new, recognizing facial expressions, asking someone to play, etc.”
She believes if she can help students become more comfortable in a synthetic environment, they can then translate their practice into their natural environment, such as an actual playground.
Will Hutzel of Huber Heights has been with the program for three summers and said he especially likes getting to write funny scripts.
His mother, Ruth, says she can’t say enough good things about the theater troupe.
“The group is a safe environment where the kids can relax and let their creativity shine while not having to worry about just being themselves,” she said. “They’re growing and strengthening their social skills while having fun.”
Final presentations
The group’s final performances are a combination of social stories the students have worked on, improvisational games, poetry readings to showcase development over the six weeks, student written skits, and other scenes with underlying lessons and characters with which these students can identify.
After six weeks of rehearsal, the kids are ready to go on stage.
“The looks of pride and accomplishment on their faces when the audience applauds after a performance are something you’ll never forget,” said proud mom Ruth Hutzel.