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Autistic youth feel magic in Milford theater groupMILFORD, Feb 22, 2010 (New Haven Register - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Debra Marchese envisions a red curtain as the backdrop for her students' Broadway-themed show, so while they're working set design, she tells them, "Just cover it in red paint." But within minutes, Marissa Cancel, 9, gets hold of the navy blue paint, and the solid red curtain idea is history. Marchese doesn't cringe at the thought of a splotched curtain, but rather embraces the change, reassuring Marissa, "Oh, I like the blue there." Other students take her approval as a cue and start dabbing on more blue. Welcome to Merry Musical Theater, a 10-week course where kids learn to sing, dance and create a set, then put on a spectacular show. But these aren't just any kids. They're children with autism and other special needs who find monumental challenges in the kinds of activities most people take for granted. Some have little or no speech; others are ultra-sensitive and reactive to light or sound; some have cognitive impairments; many find it difficult to function in a group. Some have a combination of movement since childhood and danced and sang professionally. But her most valuable training probably comes from being mom to Joey, a 17-year-old with severe autism. She's been through so many therapies with Joey through the years that Marchese has seen what works and doesn't work, she said. Joey, diagnosed when he was almost 3, was so hyper that he "didn't sleep for 10 years," his mom said, and she "didn't sit still for 10 years." "It's just like having a bunch of little Joeys," she said. "You have to be able to give them enough so they don't go over the top." Marchese knows what the potential issues are for this population, so she quickly sizes them up for sensory, mobility, energy level and whether they cling to parents. "It's all about them," Marchese said of her students. "We're doing the horse whisperer thing, tuning into each kid and raising the bar each time." Theirskillsareassessedthrough fun activities that make them feel empowered. At the beginning, Marchese hands each of them a microphone -- she wants them to hear their own voices -- and applauds everything from grunts to full songs. Before they practice their big numbers, she gets them to relax. "Let's all take a deep breath. all these limitations. Not exactly the kind of qualities that spell p-e-r-f-o-r-m-a-n-c-e. That is, until they spend 10 weeks with Marchese. "She's (Marchese) really good at finding out what kids' strengths are and what they like," said Jadine Finch, whose 10-year-old daughter, Sydney, has autism. "It's structured, but not so far that our kids are falling apart. She has a really good eye for our kids." Finch said she went into the course thinking, "There's no way Sydney is going to be able to sing and do dancing." But by recital time, those youngsters who can barely talk are singing show tunes; the once awkward and hesitant ones are dancing with flair, confidence and most important to Marchese, smiles. The audience of parents, grandparents and friends watch in awe as their kids accomplish what they thought was impossible. And there's not a dry eye in the house. "For our kids, they don't play sports or typically have award ceremonies or holiday shows," Finch said. "This shows that through music and patience and people who know how to deal with this population, they can do it." It's no wonder Marchese is so good at it -- she has double credentials for this job. First, she's studied ballet and Now blow it out nice and soft," she says. Marchese handles the dancing and set design, and has a vocal coach work with the kids on music. She also puts siblings, moms and mentors in the mix. Student Jessica Fucci, 17, has autism, an intellectual disability and communication difficulty, but like some others with autism, she also has perfect pitch and will likely have a solo in the show. "I like the fact that all kids with different abilities are welcome," said Jessica's mother, Laura Fucci. She said Marchese has a "nice connection" with the kids. "She respects them for who they are and that's half the battle," Fucci said. Kim Cancel put Marissa, who has autism, in the class because the girl doesn't have many friends. Now she not only has friends, Marissa's also following directions. Marchese knows the financial toll of having a child with special needs, so she offers scholarships to those who need them through grants and fundraising. On May 8 she'll hold a fundraiser through the Milford Fine Arts Council, cocktails and a Broadway Cabaret with adult entertainers and a few of her students in the spotlight. Tickets are $60. For more information on the fundraiser or classes, call Marchese at 550-2520. To see more of New Haven Register, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.nhregister.com. Copyright (c) 2010, New Haven Register, Conn. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |