Neurodivergence is often underrepresented in societal culture. Recognizing the need for inclusion rather than exclusion, Milford’s Libby Lit created Unified Theater, an Adaptive Arts program at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts. 

“It’s for anyone,” says Lit, of the adaptive classes. Theatre lovers of all abilities are welcome, but the program serves “the entire spectrum of neurodiversity, from things like ADHD and Global Development delay, to Autism and Down Syndrome.” People with high level needs can participate, even alongside neurotypical players. Lit even sees a few such sibling pairs taking part.

According to Smile Givers International, “Art can provide a platform for self-expression, communication, emotional regulation, and social connections.” Noah George of Ashland can attest to this. Since he has participated in HCA’s Unified Theater’s, Noah states he has indeed become more outgoing and confident, “I enjoy having fun with the whole group and have many friends, now.”

Libby never considered working with people with disabilities until, by chance, she took a job in special education. She went on to earn her masters in Theater Education from Emerson, where, during her student teaching at Milford High, she developed a theatre arts curriculum for individuals with profound needs. 

“There was a lack of opportunity for these individuals to express themselves in a way that was uniquely theirs and not scripted,” says Lit, noting that many programs meant to help folks with severe needs to find gainful employment “so often, look at the disability and not the whole person, and a lot of times, these individuals end up in a job that doesn’t reflect them. These are actual people with actual interests, and we can build on those interests.”

Hopedale’s Kelsie Duest, who has Down Syndrome, loves to dance, and she shines as a Unified Theater performer. Her Mom Sharon expressed, with emotion, how the program also gives caretakers the opportunity to unite. “It’s nice to be surrounded with like parents. We bond and build our sense of community together” she voiced.

Lit passionately rejects a one-size-fits-all approach to arts programming for people who have severe needs, as they, like everyone else, have a breadth of personalities. The Unified Arts program, she says, “honors the individual and their form of self-expression. We don’t just have singers, we have pianists, percussionists, we have a person who works backstage.” Participants can freely be themselves, and many, she says, take their craft very seriously.

Andy Pandy, from Franklin, for example, became Libby’s Associate Director for his backstage skills. Working with him, Libby discovered Andy’s writing talent, and she’s now planning to have him do some script writing for their next show in December. Andy’s Mom, Jaya, says that it puts a smile on her face watching her son participate. 

“They get to put their whole heart into this production they make themselves, and in the end, you get something made by them, uniquely for them, that honors their contribution to society,” says Lit.

Heart was certainly evident as Sam Cerulli of Holliston gave an emotional performance of Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me,” at June’s “Put A Little Love In Your Heart” production. The entire cast joined her on stage with the audience chanting along in a moving, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Unified Theater and its core principle, “Choose to Include” creates more accessible and equitable opportunities in the arts for people with disabilities and neurodiversity. 

“My hope with this Adaptive Arts program is that all people who are interested in the arts have fair and equitable access to the arts. It’s time we start looking at the opportunities and the growth the arts can provide,” says Libby, who says that although writing adaptive curriculum can be challenging, working with these arts students is the greatest joy of her life.

For more information on Unified Theater, or to volunteer, email Libby at [email protected]. or contact Hopkinton Center for Performing Arts at 508-435-9222 or [email protected].