Hello Beautiful People,
I once had a student who needed me to walk on the right side of him in the hallways. I once had a different student who couldn’t look at the red squiggle of the spell check indicator without having a panic attack.
I recently directed a musical at a high school on Long Island. Unbeknownst to me, I had cast two students who were on the autism spectrum.
One of my ids, well, he had a rough time at first. Plenty of times he came to the theater wanting to leave. Not understanding his cast mates was taking a toll. Not understanding the subtleties f language was taking a toll. Having to look his classmates in their eyes was taking a toll. Everything was taking a toll – but I urged him to say and try to stick it out.
Perhaps this time in the theatre would be good for him.
And so he did.
On the last day of classes he came to find me.
Ms. Min, did I ever thank you? He said.
For what, buddy?
Well…for the show.
Recently I had the pleasure of seeing The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time – and I couldn’t help but think of my students as I watched this play.
The play centers on 15-year-old Christopher John Francis Boone. Christopher is exceptionally intelligent but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When his neighbors dog is killed – he is the prime suspect. Christopher then sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an earth-shattering discovery and a journey that alters his life forever.
You must go see this production for the lighting and design alone – it’s absolutely stunning and mesmerizing ad innovate – bravo, Paule Constable, Bravo!
But really, let’s discuss Alex Sharp for a moment.
In a word – he was brilliant.
OK, that was three words, but you get my drift.
His ability to portray this exceptionally intelligent but socially inept character was tremendous. Sharp reminded me of my students – he skillfully created a character that cannot fully connect to those around him, and we were able to see just a little glimpse of the frustration that can bring on a daily basis.
Autism, well, it can be so very hard to understand, and diagnosis’s growing by the day – a play such as this should be required viewing.
It is through the arts that we are able to gain a tiny insight into a world and experience of something and someone other than our own. It is through the arts where we are able to find compassion and understanding for our fellow-man.
A vital part of living – don’t ya think?
Go see this show. You’ll see the world differently after you leave the theatre – and I mean that in the best way possible.
Live, Love, Learn,