What theater gives these actors is transformative and what they give their audience is anew perspective on what it means to live with a developmental disability.
Trailer:
Learn about the film’s history and message of inclusion.
Inclusion through theater…
The Best Show In Town features the story of the Loveland Players a theater troupe of 50+ actors, all with different developmental challenges, who work over the course of nine months to put on one of the most honest and engaging theater performances you’ll ever see. Many of these actors originally came to the group with severe anxiety, extreme shyness, and some of them even non-verbal. As a result of their participation in theater they have gained life changing confidence that’s carried over into their daily lives leading some to seek employment in their community and many choosing to live independently of their parents or caregivers. What theater gives to these actors is transformative and what these actors give to their audience is a new perspective on what it means to live with a developmental disability.
“We really do believe that when you make a choice for your own life you actually define how it is that you live, who you are as you live. And you know there’s nothing better in life than finally discovering who am I and why am I important to everybody else. And at that point you know that you are contributing to society or your community as whole.”
-Carl Penxa, retired Loveland Center CEO