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The Special Gifts Theatre (SGT) is a not-for-profit organization, founded in 2000 to provide individuals who possess a wide array of special needs (physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and learning) the opportunity to experience the joy and enrichment that the theatre arts can bring. The program, though recreational in scope, is educationally and therapeutically based.
The Special Gifts Theatre in Northbrook, Illinois, is one of those necessary places in the world where the arts meet compassion. A place where the joy of creating and performing helps change lives in the process.
SGT’s mission is to provide individuals with special needs (physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and learning) a unique, creative drama experience enabling personal growth and breaking down stereotypes related to disabilities within the community at large.
The SGT theatre management explains, “Theatre skills have been shown to be an excellent tool for enhancing an individual’s self-esteem and self-confidence.”
“Practicing theatre furthers problem-solving abilities. It encourages listening, focusing, attention and communication skills. And it helps people who otherwise wouldn’t have much contact to other outside of their niche group to foster cooperation and with others.”
“Our programs are unique in that the emphasis is not on perfection of the final performance, but rather the student’s personal growth and development.”
“Programs are process and not product-oriented.”
Though recreational in scope, the Special Gifts Theatre programs are educationally and therapeutically based.
Often, things can be felt and understood far better through physical and artistic expression. Someone who might otherwise be unable to verbally communicate to others what he or she feels inside, might be able to find his or her voice through dance, for example. Or through other ways of projecting what is happening internally onto the role they portray on stage.
As such, theatre can be a unique place of healing. For anyone performing on stage for that matter. As well as for anyone who participates simply as being an open-hearted, supportive, respectful, and joyful audience member.
“Classroom activities are individualized for each student taking into consideration their challenges and how we can successfully allow them to express their creative abilities.
“Production adaptations are designed to enable each student to achieve their highest level of success.”
“SGT provides a valuable opportunity to children and teens with special needs who normally would not be able to participate in the performing arts.”
“The children and young adults also have the chance to work side-by-side with their typically developing peers as they work on a final production.”
Peer mentors are an important component of the programming. Working together on this level facilitates acceptance, understanding, and growth.
“Our mission deals directly with breaking down barriers and changing community perception regarding disability stereotypes.”
“We strengthen community awareness (through our peer mentor program and performances), recognize a minority population in the performing arts and promote diversity.”
12 programs in 7 locations
2,673 students & peer mentors ages 6-46
32,518 audience members
90% of students improved their self-image and confidence
80% of students improved their social skills
85% of students demonstrated growth in a parent identified goal
90% of peer mentors increased their disability awareness and acceptance
As well as their official website.
Unfortunately, press sources on the internet were far and few between. So, most of the content for this article is taken from the Special Gifts Theatre website. We hope this will help to give this valuable organisation some much needed international exposure and recognition.
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Liam Klenk was born in Central Europe and has since lived on four continents. Liam has always been engaged in creative pursuits, ranging from photography and graphic design, to writing short stories and poetry, to working in theatre and shows. In 2016, Liam published his first book and memoir, 'Paralian'.
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