This weekend, you have the chance to see talented students and performers in an inspiring and entertaining show.
On Saturday, March 1 and Sunday March 2, Special Gifts Theatre will be putting on a performance of Alice in Wonderland.
It will take place at Loyola at 2pm each day. It will stand out from anything you’ve seen before and definitely be worth the watch.
The Special Gifts Theatre program allows for actors with disabilities to put together a show and act, sing, and dance on the stage.
Each actor is paired up with a peer mentor, students from Loyola and other nearby schools, who guides them through their lines and dances on stage with them.
“I love Special Gifts Theatre,” one of the actors said. “It’s so much fun.”
The actors and peer mentors started working together back in September, learning about the history of Alice and Wonderland and all the characters they could potentially play.
In December, after everyone was familiar with the show, roles were assigned and the actors and their peer mentors began working on the show.
Everyone was given four songs with dances to learn and two scenes of lines to memorize.
The show has now finally come together, complete with costumes, props, and a set. All the actors and their peer mentors cannot wait to show off their hard work.
“Everyone should come see Alice in Wonderland,” an actor said.
Special Gifts Theatre has opened up such an amazing opportunity for the actors. It allows them the space to do something they are passionate about.
“It’s fun to be on the stage,” one of the three actors playing Alice said.
The peer mentors feel the same way. They love the program just as much as the actors do.
“I really enjoy theatre,” senior peer mentor Lucy Kirkland said. “And Special Gifts Theatre gives me another opportunity to explore this interest.”
A lot of peer mentors also found that when they are at Special Gifts Theatre they feel like they are doing something truly meaningful.
“I like Special Gifts Theatre because I get to work with a marginalized community I wouldn’t normally interact with at Loyola and assist them in putting on the best possible show we can,” senior peer mentor Karolina Doroszkiewicz said.
The program has led to so many new friendships and connections. Actors are able to connect during breaks and play games together in the classrooms.
And, actors are also given the chance to connect with their peer mentor. They spend every rehearsal building a relationship through working together to learn all of their parts.
“I have friends at Special Gifts Theatre,” an actor said. “My peer mentor is my new friend.”
The Special Gifts Theatre program has allowed for memories to be made and for a beautiful show to come together.
“People should come to our show because they will have the opportunity to see so many passionate people on the stage,” peer mentor director Alanna Glickman said. “It will be an amazing performance.”
Be sure to come to Loyola on either Saturday or Sunday to see all the hard work and excitement of the actors and their peer mentors.
