Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Spotlight Education program paired up with the Sabes Jewish Community Center’s Inclusion Program to run a series of workshops and two perfromances with adults with disabilities. Senior Isaac Wahl said he works alongside the adults to prepare for their performances.

“It takes high school students and pairs them with adults with disabilities and I feel like that’s such a rare thing to have,” Wahl said. “It really gives both the adults and students an opportunity to be able to take with them forever.”

According to Pete Tedrow, Spotlight Educations Curriculum Manager, the program aspires to make everyone feel included, especially people with disabilities.

“The goal of the program is to provide inclusive musical theater experience. Where our typical folks are spotlight students, are (now) co-stars,” Tedrow said. “They work side by side with the folks from the inclusion program. They are not there to be helpers, they are there to be co-stars.”

Sophomore Pinar Gulleroglu said the program allows for interaction between the adults and teens, allowing them to communicate their feelings through theater.

“It’s a great opportunity to help adults socialize more with the kids and strengthen their bond,” Gulleroglu said. “And it’s also a great way to express what they think and express their ideas and lifestyle using art.” 

According to Wahl, throughout the program, many stereotypes he had about individuals with disabilities were disproven.  

“I learned a lot about inclusion and also broke a lot of personal stigmas I had towards disabled people,” Wahl said. “And I also feel there’s a lack of representation (of) disabled people both in theater and media in general.”

Tedrow said the Theater Trust Program strives to have more involvement of diversity in their people.

“Hennepin Theatre Trust as a whole is working to be more inclusive and working on diversity and equality inclusion,” Tedrow said. “It’s a great program that we really love and the JCC loves.”

According to Gulleroglu, the community benefits from the program because it showcases a variety of different views within society.  

“It (gives) more perspectives in society and how it works. And how everyone sees the world differently,” Gulleroglu said.