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Kids with Disabilities get Chance to Shine with Variety Theatre
With Variety Theatre’s 10th anniversary production on the horizon, the spotlight is on the special Variety Kids and Teens at the very heart of every performance. Variety Teen Aryana has always wanted to be involved with theatre, but she was nervous about auditioning because of her vision impairment. So, she settled for attending Variety Theatre productions, taking in the show from the audience for the past four years.
This year, however, something changed. “Aryana has always wanted to do theatre, she just never knew how to put herself out there,” says Paris, Aryana’s mom. “She didn’t have the confidence. But seeing the show and the other kids on stage gave her the courage to audition.”
And now for the first time, Aryana will get to be on stage when the curtain goes up. She is part of the inclusive Children’s Ensemble for Variety Theatre’s 2018 production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, which begins Oct. 18. Paris shares her hopes that – beyond acting, singing and dancing – Aryana will learn much from being a part of Variety Theatre, including commitment, dedication and independence. “She has to be committed to this,” says Paris. “She has to be dedicated and on time.” Paris works late some evenings, meaning that Aryana, who is 16 years old, will be taking an Uber on her own to rehearsals for Variety Theatre. This way, she can still attend chorus practice at her school and make it in time to rehearse with the rest of the cast. It also means that she will be testing out true independence for the first time.
“She is so excited to be very independent,” says Paris. “She can’t drive, but she wants to be able to do things. She wants to go away to college.” And being a part of Variety Theatre will give her the confidence to do all these things and more. “It will open up doors and give her the chance to say, ‘I can do anything I want to do,’” says Paris. “It will also be a chance to have people of all abilities take her in because she doesn’t get that a lot.” Paris shares that, outside of theatre, many of Aryana’s peers don’t talk to her because of her vision impairment. But, on the first day of auditions for Variety Theatre, she made a friend right away! You can cheer for Aryana, and all of her new friends, during Variety Theatre’s 10th anniversary production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Tickets are available by calling 314-720-7700.
