The Imagination Workshop
Larry Himmel and Joe Reilly
Larry Himmel, workshop participant, and Joe Reilly, Still Point musician, during a performance.Since 1992, Still Point facilitators have worked with a group of adults with developmental disabilities at Esperanza Community Services. This dramatic ensemble has created dozens of original performances throughout the years. A documentary film focused on the spirit and work of the Imagination Workshop is now set to be released in the coming year. Along with the Imagination Workshop, Still Point also conducts two additional creative dramatics/music workshops for adults with severe developmental disabilities, one at Esperanza and another at El Valor in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood.
History and Reflections I would like share with you a short history of the Imagination Workshop, and a brief description of the troupe.
In 1991 I went to a job interview at Esperanza Community Services, an agency which provides services for people with developmental disabilities. The job involved assisting two elderly women who lived in an apartment together. At the interview, I mentioned that I had created a theatre troupe with a group of adults with developmental disabilities before moving to Chicago. My soon-to-be supervisor arranged for me to begin teaching a weekly performance class for a group of adults at Esperanza. The participants were delighted with the programming, and the Imagination Workshop has been an integral part of the Esperanza community ever since.
From left to right, Anita Dacanay, Andy Torres,
Bobby Tirelli, and Lisa Wagner
Eddie Palumbo, Imagination
Workshop Participant
This work provides a vital service for adults with developmental disabilities. It creates a space in which individual expression is encouraged without judgment. Using a variety of techniques including dance and movement, music, comedy, and improvisation - we approach each participant with the attitude of discovering and developing their personal gifts. I have had the pleasure of watching shy, introverted people take the stage and perform an improvisation or dance for the first time. I have also had the joy of watching some of our most talented members hone their skills over the years, and subsequently grow into very sensitive and accomplished performers. Members of this group have performed original work in a variety of Chicago venues. One year we were part of the Cast members of A Place to Find Home, a Reader's Theatre piece focusing on L'Arche Communities. Anita and Lisa co-facilitated the workshop from 1992 to 2001, around the Coyote Arts Festival. Another notable achievement was the creation of A Place to Find Home, written by Sue Mosteller is a reader's theatre piece based on true stories about adults with developmental disabilities living in a L'Arche community in Toronto. (L'Arche is an international movement of communities for adults with developmental disabilities.) This production was wonderfully performed by three seasoned Imagination Workshop members, and the proceeds were used to benefit the Chicago L'Arche community which was just forming at the time.
I am very pleased to say that Erwin Media is currently producing a documentary film about the Imagination Workshop. The filmmakers shot footage of rehearsals and a performance, and the participants are thrilled that someone is making a movie about them!
Jaime Ortaga and Andy Tores in a
recent Imagination Workshop
production
Currently, we have two groups of Esperanza clients in weekly workshop sessions. The afternoon group includes the more experienced people,while the morning group consists of people who are generally less verbal and/or less outwardly expressive. The latter group can be challenging for the facilitators because we have to work harder to find ways to connect with people and draw them out into performance mode. One woman in this group, Maya, is one of those people who tends to be quiet and reluctant to join in the activities. Maya is full of life, but self conscious because her hands are deformed and twisted. Recently, I brought in the soundtrack from Moulin Rouge to the Friday group just to see what would happen. When the Elton John ballad "Your Song" came on, Maya began dancing, which was very unusual. She danced through the whole song, using very graceful, fluid movements with her hands and arms. She danced from her heart. It was so poignant to see her using her hands in this way. It was really a breakthrough moment for Maya, and I plan to feature this beautiful dance in the next performance.
Our afternoon group is always bursting with creativity! Many of the members of this particular group could be called "natural born hams." One young woman named Ellie is an exception. Although extremely bright, perceptive, and well-spoken, she has a very shy, self-deprecating way of carrying herself, and often has to be coaxed to participate. A few weeks ago, I decided to have everyone bring in something for a "show and tell" day. I thought the stories we shared that day might grow into ideas for scenes to create for the next performance. (All of our shows are created organically, generated from the participants own ideas and interests.) One man brought in pictures from his birthday party, another brought some favorite stencils, another a book about one of his heroes - Elvis Presley. I was not too surprised when at first Ellie did not want to participate, denying that she had anything to share. Later however, after a number of people had had their turns, she got up and started digging through her bag. I asked again if she had brought something to share, and this time she said, "Yes." Had she ever! She read a one page speech she had written about her experiences in Special Olympics and all the medals she had received. She brought about forty medals and ribbons to show everyone! It was so wonderful to see her take this moment to be proud of her accomplishments, and to share something of such great personal importance to her in front of a group of people. I was amazed and utterly delighted, as I frequently am by the members of the Imagination Workshop.
I hope these stories help to illustrate for you how deep and transformative this work can be. In the large and small victories of the Imagination Workshop, we can see hope for all. Everyone possesses the power to grow and change. Everyone matters!
-Lisa Wagner, Co-facilitator, The Imagination Workshop