<p>My daughter is currently a high school junior, and dreams of being a theatre major in college. She would not be applying to the select schools most often mentioned on this forum, rather a couple of auditioned BFA programs in our major metropolitan area (or a BA program with an additional major in creative writing). She had a stroke inutero, and therefore was born with mild left-sided cerebral palsy. Her left arm is the most affected, some types of movements are not possible for her. You would not notice a problem with her gait upon a quick look, but if you watched her for a while you could pick up that she has a physical disability. She is not intellectually affected, has a 3.8 GPA, has not taken the ACT yet.</p>
<p>My question is, has anyone ever known of a physically impaired student in a program that they or their children have attended? Is this a totally unrealistic dream for her? She would love a musical theatre program, but dance is an issue for her. She takes voice lessons, is involved in a voice/dance competitive company, has been cast in high school plays/musicals, and a couple community productions. She almost always makes it to the callback list, but has ended up with minor character roles no major characters yet. I will post this on both theatre majors to get as much feedback as possible. Thanks to everyone sharing any experience or advice they may have.</p>
<p>I designed a show that Ms. Stoker was in (Boy’s from Syracuse). She seems to have worked steadily and was wonderful on stage. As for programs. That’s hard to say. But to be honest, based on what you say, I would say that your daughter has as much a shot as anyone else. I don’t see a problem with her gait keeping her out of most programs. I wish you both much luck.</p>
<p>I will copy my post from the thread you started in the theater forum which i saw before this one:</p>
<p>One of my daughter’s BEST friends (and former classmates at NYU/Tisch) is a young woman who has been in a wheelchair since she was a preschooler due to injuries from a car accident. She is paralyzed from the chest down. This is one AMAZING young woman in every respect. For starters, she is SUPER talented in musical theater. Not only is she so talented of an artist, but she is extremely independent and has lived alone many times and gets around NYC (and LA) and throughout her years at NYU/Tisch using a wheelchair that she uses her arms to operate, and not a mechanical one! She is extremely active. She also drives and has driven my D on trips.</p>
<p>I so much admire Tisch for accepting her into the BFA in MT program. She participated in all of the dance classes in her wheelchair (which she moves amazingly well when she performs). She was cast repeatedly, often in lead or significant roles throughout her time at Tisch. She also was in an award winning a capella group. My D was in classes and shows and a capella with her and again, is a very close friend. My daughter has also cast her in her own shows. </p>
<p>In the past year, this young woman had a lead role in a musical in a major regional theater. (by the way, she was nominated for Best Actress in a Musical for a regional theater award for her role) I hope many more theaters will consider casting her. Frankly, on Glee, I wish they had a true disabled student like her in a wheelchair rather than someone acting disabled. This girl would be so perfect. Her talent as a singer/actor and the way she moves on stage with her chair is outstanding. </p>
<p>I can’t tell you how all BFA programs would respond in admitting such a student. But kudos to Tisch who did. Others can chime in if they know of other BFA programs that did. I imagine many BA programs have disabled students since there is usually no audition to be admitted and you don’t apply directly to a program when applying to most BA programs. Anyone can participate in any major pretty much.</p>
<p>I will just add now also that your D’s disability sounds far less significant than my daughter’s friend and so I think she should go for it and apply everywhere she wishes.</p>
<p>I was about to post about Ali Stroker as well! She is wonderful and extremely talented. I didn’t see Papermill’s production of Spelling Bee but I know she played Olive and I heard she was perfect for the role. I wish your daughter the best of luck and have no doubt that she will not be affected by it whatsoever!</p>
<p>I just attended a performance of Merrily We Roll Along at Muhlenberg College where my daughter is a freshman. We noted that one of the ensemble actors was in a wheelchair and he performed beautifully along with the rest of the talented cast.</p>
<p>Montclair State has a Sophomore MT who lose one of his legs to bone cancer and is still a student there. If you search Evan Ruggiero on youtube, you can find a video of him tap dancing with his new leg. Truly inspiring!</p>
<p>^^There are two threads on this topic, one here and one in the Theater Majors forum. I mentioned the Montclair State MT young man over there and another inspiring story of a guy with two prosthetic legs who even danced on Broadway. I just don’t want to copy every post over here too.</p>
<p>I coached a student with a similar presentation of CP last year, and he did well in his MT auditions. He had some contracture that made certain dance things difficult (especially plies and releves), but he adapted well, and his dance teachers worked with him to think about specifically how to adapt.</p>
<p>alwaysamom… proving one more time, how incredibly small this business is. I was at opening of that show, and home the next day. I designed at least 15 shows there over a span of years. I sorta miss that place, but love my new summer theatre home. Hope you enjoyed the production.</p>
<p>^^My H and I were on vacation when we saw that show and, yes, we enjoyed it tremendously! I grew up in NJ and spent a LOT of time on LBI when I was a kid. It was great fun going back and seeing that although some things had changed, much had remained the same.</p>
<p>I, too, am affected by CP (also very mild - right leg affected. I don’t have a normal range of motion in my right calf muscles and it sometimes looks like I’m limping. My physiotherapist says that if a normal person’s walk is an A, I am an A minus.) - my question is, would this be something to bring up in an audition setting? Not as an excuse, of course. I ask because I’ve had relative strangers notice my limp within minutes of meeting me, particularly when I’m worn out (which is bound to happen sometime in the audition process!). Obviously if an application asked me if I had any sort of physical disability, I would answer without hesitation there. But bringing CP up to an auditor feels instinctively to me like something that would have a negative impact on the audition. Thoughts?</p>
<p>I would say yes. In a dance audition, people will see it and MAY (and I’m a tad dubious) see it as a flaw in technique. Perfection isn’t what anyone is looking for. Not at all. So, do what you do well. If you can’t do something for any reason, let folks know. The descriptions of the issues here aren’t that big of a deal. Not to say that’s true for every program. But I would be willing to suggest it is true of the majority. And that’s all anyone can ask of this process.</p>
<p>One of my friends is a little person, 3’6". She has been accepted to University of Evansville for Theatre. If she happens to read this I hope she doesn’t mind me sharing.</p>
<p>I, too, thought immediately of Ali. What a lovely, talented young woman! I wasn’t able to see Boys from Syracuse. Too bad, because otherwise I’m sure I could brag on your design, kjgc.</p>