The Roles We Play: Creating Theater with Autism Spectrum Youth

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The Roles We Play
Creating Theater with Autism Spectrum Youth
Valerie Paradiz, PhD & Elizabeth Nickrenz
Autism One Annual Conference Chicago, Illinois May 23, 2009
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Introduction
 Parent & Professor  Elijah’s Cup  ASPIE School  Howard Moody and Wayfinder  Elizabeth Nickrenz  Research: University of Chicago  Open Center for Autism  Learning Spring School
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A New Frontier for Learning
• Interdisciplinary learning environments • Naturally embedded therapy • Multi-modal opportunities
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Initiating a Theater Arts Program
• • • • • • • Types of Programs Age Groups Populations on the Spectrum Staffing Choices Rehearsals Performance Curriculum
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Our Model
Games & Improv Based Programming
1. Group games 2. Improvisation 3. Story Writing & Scripting
4. Character Development 5. Costume 6. Performance & The Adventure Game
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Basic Strategies
• • • • • • Staff modeling Discrete steps Scaffolding Posted Schedules Visual supports Community Building • Lesson Plans
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Community Building
• Opening Circle Transition Self Regulation Check In • Snack • Closing Circle Transition Review
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Sample Lesson Plan
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1. Group Games
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2. Improvisation
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3. Story Writing & Scripting
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4. Character Development
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5. Costume
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6. Performance
The Adventure Game
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Magic: Case Studies
• Disarm! • Theory of Mind • First Order
• Second Order • Spell casting as collaboration
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Conclusion: Building Bridges
• Educators • Therapists • Dramatic Artists • Challenges • Rewards
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Survey of Programs & Resources
• • • • • • • • Howard Moody, Play, It Works! (national scope), www.howardmoody.com Wayfinder Experience, Kingston, New York www.wayfinderexperience.com The Miracle Project, Los Angeles, California www.themiracleproject.org Acting Antics, Glenmore, Pennsylvania, www.actingantics.org Rose Theater & Autism Action Partnership, Omaha, Nebraska,www.autismaction.org Guthrie Theater & Autism Society of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, www.ausm.org Applied Theater Research and Autism Network, ARTRAN (international scope), www.autismtheater.org Theater Arts and Autism Symposium, Autism Society of America’s National Conference, July 22, 2009, St. Charles, Illinois, www.autism-society.org
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Contact
Valerie Paradiz, PhD
www.ValerieParadiz.com Val@ValerieParadiz.com
Elizabeth Nickrenz
Nickrenz@uchicago.edu
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