Sensory Theatre Endless Possibilities

Musical 2023: Our 2023 production of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown included a cast and crew of 38 people with disabilities, ages 10-30 years. Our performances included a final dress rehearsal for friends and family, plus two community performances which reached a live audience of 700 plus.

Tech Camp 2023: In 2023, tech camp was held at Courtland High School for 20 older participants to learn non-stage theater skills, such as lighting, sound, set design/building, and photography. They participated in classes in these subjects as well as completed the set design/building for the 2023 Summer Arts Camps. Participants then utilized their newly-learned skills in lighting, sound, and photography while assisting during 2023 Summer Arts Camps performances.

Summer Arts Camps 2023 Since 2013, STEP VA has served over 175 individuals in the Fredericksburg region through classes and summer camps, which include instruction in art, dance, theater, music, social skills, and yoga for children, teens, and adults with disabilities. The largest yearly event is the summer Arts Camp which serves individuals ages 8-23 years. During the one-week camp, participants take classes in the performing and visual arts, which culminates in a short, staged musical theater performance for the public at Battlefield Middle School. In recent years, we added two camp options: a tech camp at Courtland High School for older participants to learn non-stage theater skills, such as lighting, sound, set design/building; and a second Arts Camp location at Rodney Thompson Middle School in Stafford County. These camps are unique to the region as they prioritize accessibility and inclusion in all programming and combined, they provided arts education to 56 individuals with disabilities in the greater Fredericksburg region in 2023.

Other program services: 2023 Spring Classes included 44 class slots serving children and adults with disabilities through musical audition and rehearsal process, Drumming4Every1, choir, yoga, and art workshop. 2023 Fall Classes included 78 class slots serving children and adults with disabilities through Drumming4Every1 (beginner and advanced), Self Advocacy and Social Skills classes in the community, yoga, kids arts workshop, and photography classes. Connect groups: Hosted weekly, virtual connect social groups (5-7 consistent attendees in teen group) (12-15 consistent attendees in adult group). Adult group had participant-led outings including bowling and family holiday party. Parent connect groups: hosted topic-specific guest speakers for parent connect meetings and during camp, free and open to all families. They supported several events this year including hosting the musical cast party for more than 50 and co-hosted the holiday party for more than 95. Volunteer trainings: Provided 4 either virtual or in-person volunteer trainings throughout the year. 4 former adult participants transitioned to volunteers during Summer Arts Camps. 31 teens and adults volunteered during summer camps in 2023.

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