Using Acting to Support Neurodivergency with Theater of Possibility
Maureen O'Shaughnessy, EdD
Educational Consultant: We build truly inclusive and empowering learning communities.
Watching my youngest daughter grow up in a world that didn’t understand her was painful. She struggled through adolescence because she’s colorful and mismatched and didn’t fit into the box our traditional school system thought she should fit into.
Throughout my teaching career and now as a school director, I’ve met so many youth for whom traditional schools weren’t a fit. It’s why I started LEADPrep, and it’s why I host the Education Evolution podcast.
There IS a better way. There IS a solution. And it brings me joy to speak to and work with changemakers who are taking action.
Neurodivergent students often get pulled out of classrooms and taught separately because they are “different.” Well, we’re all a little bit different. Does that mean we should all be taught in silos? Not a chance.
There’s an inclusive program in the Seattle area that’s supporting our colorful, mismatched students in a unique way that can help them on and off the stage. Youth are learning through theater and improvisation.
This week on the podcast, I’m talking with Lauren Marshall, director of Theater of Possibility, about the organization’s unique take on theater and learning. And joining Lauren is Jackie Moffit, one of the school’s former students and current teachers.?
Together we explore the role the current education system has had on neurodivergent youth, why pull-out programs might work in some instances (but generally don’t), the problem with special education, and why acting is a valuable tool for students with autism.
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About Lauren Marshall:
Lauren Marshall is the founding director of Theater of Possibility, serving neurodiverse youth, since 2010. A produced and published playwright, she has an MFA in Music Theater writing from NYU, and BA and JD from Stanford.??
About Jackie Moffit:
Jackie Moffit is an actor, writer, and musician on the autism spectrum who goes by any pronouns. They first started participating in Theater of Possibility in 2012 as a student and became an assistant teacher for the kids’ class several years later. They are passionate about neurodiversity representation in education and the arts, and are excited for their first session as lead teacher. In addition to his work with Theater of Possibility, Jackie also volunteers at Books to Prisoners and writes media reviews for the Northwest Film Forum and Redefine Magazine. Some of their interests include synthesizers, linguistics, and tabletop games.
Links & Resources
Autism Dad
2 年i am AUTISM DAD,People never see never aware THERE Views/Judgements very SNOTTY NOSED .ok I Have Asperger ALL SO ..M.E AND FIBROMAGYIA ,.,the very BIGGEST PROBLEM...PEOPLE Making these issues a MILLION TIMES WORSE. mark