Acting Without Boundaries, a Bryn Mawr-based theater program, empowers children and adults with disabilities across the region – both onstage and in life, writes Phil Davis for WHYY.
The program gives participants the opportunity to stage plays they have written and produced themselves. Founded in 2004, Bryn Mawr’s Acting Without Boundaries started as a small initiative inspired by a similar Main summer program. Today, it has several divisions, including Acting Without Boundaries Jr., for school-aged children with physical disabilities.
Neill Hartley, the program’s artistic director, expects all participants to memorize their lines and follow stage directions, while also offering plenty of encouragement and support.
“I place the same requirements that I would on any other performer,” he said. “It’s kind of allowing humanity to be what it is as opposed to what it should be.”
Hartley, who has been with the program for 20 years, draws on his formal acting background to bring out the best in his performers. But his time with the group has also taught him patience.
“If it takes a while to get there, it takes a while to get there,” he said.
Read more about Bryn Mawr’s Acting Without Boundaries in WHYY.
