A Co Leitrim actors' group for people with Down syndrome will stage a two-part performance at a fully booked theatre in Carrick-on-Shannon tonight as part of World Down Syndrome Day.
The Dock Theatre will host a performance from the Bright Sparks youth theatre programme, an initiative focused on providing a creative experience for all children.
Maura Williamson, a theatre practitioner from Carrigallen who leads the group, has said the initiative's impact has been transformational.
"I see the transformation in the young people, their confidence, the beauty in the space where they can just be themselves," she said.
"I see the creativity blossom. I see their speech and their social interactions improve. They’re making friends and having fun, laughter and the banter, it does our heart good."
Bright Sparks is a youth theatre programme funded through Leitrim County Council's Creative Ireland programme delivered at a pace suited to individual needs.
Ruby Daly from Boyle, Co Roscommon said she "can’t wait to go on stage for the first time" while Anna Moran from Strokestown, Co Roscommon said she loves "acting, dancing and music".
Leitrim County Council’s Assistant Arts Officer Mary Blake said they decided to start Bright Sparks because there were "very little arts activities, or any activities for our children with special needs in Leitrim".
Ms Blake said: "these children want the same things all children want: they want to have a bit of fun, meet their friends and explore their creativity".
"The (Bright Spark) group works at a pace that is comfortable for the young people".
Siobhán Finnegan-McElgunn’s son Dónal has been attending the theatre group for three years.
She said Dónal "looks forward to his drama class each Thursday" as well as learning "in an informal way".
"Sometimes when people are working with young people like Dónal and others with extra needs - they're wrapped in cotton wool a little bit too much and I think things are made that bit easy for them," Ms Finnegan-McElgunn explains.
"Whereas in this case there’s a challenge for them. I can see Dónal coping better with the little challenges that he may have in life, let that be at school or at home."
The eight actors in the Bright Sparks Down Syndrome Group devised their own play with facilitators as part of a ten-week programme.
Séamus Gannon from Bornacoola, whose son Mark attends Bright Sparks, said the group is "the highlight of his week".
"They’re bouncing down the stairs with happiness when they come out after their rehearsals," Mr Gannon said.
"Mark tends not to be very verbal, so it encourages them to be more verbal and encourages them to use clusters of words rather than just single word answers. That's lovely."
"They are minded very well by the team here under the auspices of Leitrim County Council. It's a great community initiative. It's something that really benefits all the kids," Mr Gannon added.
Leitrim County Council receives help from Creative Ireland to run the programme.
Ms Williamson started Bright Sparks as a pilot project in 2017 and she has been supported by Gavin Sweeney and Mia Blake, both former members of Leitrim Youth Theatre, to produce tonight’s performance in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Ms Finnegan-McElgunn said she believes the initiative’s backers deserve recognition.
"Maybe, it's a good time to say that this is an example of public money being spent. Well, you will hear the bad stories. This is a good story, and long may that continue".
