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Dancing Lessons

By Mark St. Germain

December 10 – February 21 in the Keating Theatre (Opening Night: Friday, December 12)

The Story: Two lonely souls embark on a relationship filled with surprising discoveries. A young man seeks the instruction of a Broadway dancer, now sidelined with injuries. As their relationship unfolds, they’re caught off-guard by the unexpected revelations – both hilarious and heartwarming – that they make about each other. REGIONAL PREMIERE!

We asked playwright, Mark St. Germain:

Is education doing the right thing by creating a special education programs for children with autism?

~ Mark’s response~

From my observation of Parents and their Autistic Children the earlier the Child is worked with the better. The play was inspired by my meeting on the street an autistic boy in his late teens who I had met when he was five or six. He would sit at a lunch table with his parents and other people, not engage in conversation or even eye contact. He was, I thought, in his world and blocking out any other. Years later I encountered him with his Father. The Boy was gregarious and well spoken. He shook my hand, made direct eye contact and was absolutely delightful. As I was about to go he started a litany of things that he remembered from our lunches together: my birthday, age, chlidren, and a list of names of the people who ate with us.

It was astonishing. His parents had worked very hard to get their son into schools very early to work with him on social interaction and learning processes.

A couple who I love very much also have been raising a child with autism. They took the same route and aggressively: early and almost non-stop education. From what they’ve told me, early recognition and attentiveness is critical.

Here. I’m addressing children in their early years. So far as mainstreaming, I’ve heard good reports about it, depending on the ability of the children to interact. Ultimately, parents want their children to be able to function effectively and independently in society. But one thing that has been drilled into me by folks with autism is that every individual is different – like all of us.