On May 12, 2023, an ensemble of adult actors with disabilities will present a joyous adaptation of Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days.
Fort Wayne, Ind – In conjunction with Audiences Unlimited, L.I.F.E. Adult Day Academy (L.A.D.A.) will take audience members on an adventurous journey as it presents an adaptive performance of Around the World in 80 Days.
The performance is slated for May 12, 2023, at the Parkview Physicians Group ArtsLab, located at 300 E. Main Street, Fort Wayne. The show runs from 1 – 2 p.m. and features fun props, creative costume pieces, and joyous acting as these characters make their way around the world in a race against time.
Like the original tale, characters in this clever adaptation travel by boat, train, and even an elephant as they retell this time-honored adventure. What’s unique to this performance is that director Gloria Minnich incorporated ideas from the cast into the script.
Actors switch roles throughout the performance as well, so that, according to Minnich, “everybody gets to be the star!” Whenever an actor is wearing a certain hat, that actor is playing the corresponding character. “I plan to tell the audience to follow the hats,” she said.
Thanks to AWS Foundation, the performance is free. “It’s going to be very sensory friendly,” said Anna Ross, Audiences Unlimited Executive Director. “The house lights will be dim but not dark, and sensory kits will be available in the lobby for anyone who needs one. We want the community to know that everyone is welcome.”
This unique performance is made possible in part by Audiences Unlimited, Arts United, the National Endowment for the Arts, AWS Foundation, and the Indiana Arts Commission.
About L.I.F.E. Adult Day Academy (L.A.D.A.): L.I.F.E. Adult Day Academy is a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between high school graduation and workforce entrance for individuals with disabilities. We focus on building skills and exposing individuals to new opportunities through high-quality programs and services. Our skilled-based curriculum allows individuals with disabilities to focus on personal growth, independence, and long-term employability.
About Audiences Unlimited: Audiences Unlimited (AUI) is celebrating its 50th year of enriching lives, providing access by reaching often-forgotten audiences and creators with the arts. AUI serves Allen, DeKalb, Noble, LaGrange, and Steuben counties with over 125 performances each month. In addition, through collaborative relationships with long-term care facilities, adult day academies, and community partners, AUI reaches over 8,500 individuals with diverse needs and abilities each year. To learn more, visit https://audiencesunlimited.org.
