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See What's Happening at STEP!
Starshine Theatre Workshop featuring STEP & the Players Guild of Dearborn
BY MONICA SHARF, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM SERVICES AT STEP
The Starshine Theatre Workshop is a partnership between The Players Guild of Dearborn and Services To Enhance Potential. The two organizations provide a five-day workshop to teach special needs adults about theatre and to give them the opportunity to perform on stage. At the end of the workshop the STEP members and Players Guild volunteers put on a theatre show for the public to showcase everything they have learned from behind the scenes to being on stage in front of an audience. This year the show was Pirates of the Caribbean.
Breaking barriers for adults with disabilities in learning theatre and play production is a transformative endeavor that champions inclusivity, creativity, and empowerment. By providing accessible opportunities and tailored support, individuals with disabilities can explore their artistic talents, enhance self-expression, and cultivate valuable skills in acting, production, and storytelling. Creating inclusive environments, adapting teaching methods, and fostering a culture of respect and understanding are key components in overcoming obstacles and promoting diversity within the performing arts community. Through advocacy, awareness, and collaboration, barriers can be dismantled, and pathways to participation and success can be opened for adults with disabilities seeking to engage in the enriching world of theatre and play production.
Services To Enhance Potential (STEP) is a non-profit organization which provides support and services to nearly 1,400 persons with disabilities and other mental health needs in Macomb, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. A major goal of Services To Enhance Potential is to increase the number of persons who are employed, self-employed, and volunteer in their communities. STEP provides and supports a variety of employment and selfemployment options. We were founded in 1972 to bring an employment focus to individuals with a disability and have developed a strong reputation in the community for doing so. Learn more about STEP at www.stepcentral.org
