Actors Kurt Smith, Connor Gerhken, Lion Couffreda, Ben Gerhken and Christian Flemming-Endendijk rehearse for their upcoming play ‘Living in Autism’. Photo by Aidan Rawding /Truro NewsArticle contentTRURO – Every person has a story to tell. Theatre, in particular, can be a powerful tool to showcase and uplift human stories.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentA group of local actors are bringing their lived experience with autism to the stage at St. Andrew’s United Church on Saturday, Nov. 29. Show times are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.Article contentArticle contentThe first play is called ‘Dreaming in Autism’, created by Montreal playwright Christine Rodriguez. The second, called ‘Living in Autism’, is a first-person production written and performed by autistic individuals.Article contentArticle content“It’s a fun experience to create a play about living (with) autism,” said Kurt Smith, one of the actors starring in the latter.Article contentHe added later on, “I think the media should explore autism in a more creative way.”Article contentActors hope the play will be heart-warming, and that the audience has a few laughs, too.Article contentOne of the ways that they weave their personal experiences throughout the script is by sharing their aspirations with the audience, and how they plan to accomplish them.Article content“I felt like I was venting my problems out,” shares fellow actor Connor Gehrken about the writing process, “and also sharing a story I was proud of, and talking about my hopes and dreams.”Article contentGehrken said the most rewarding part of being involved in this theatre project is the satisfaction of accomplishing something big.Article contentINCLUSIVE THEATREArticle contentThe idea for this theatre project, presented by the Truro chapter of Autism Nova Scotia, originally came from co-facilitators Sacha Brake and Leana Todd.Article contentArticle contentThey met doing theatre in Truro, shares Brake, and both share the same ideas and values around the art form.Article content“Every single person’s story has a place, has worth, and has value, but we don’t necessarily always make the spaces accessible to those people,” said Brake. “And so, why not do that?”Article contentInitially, the idea was just to do the one play ‘Dreaming in Autism’.Article content“The feedback we got from some members of the autism community was like, ‘This play is great from a mother’s perspective. It’s a play from the perspective of someone who is living with an autistic person, not the perspective of someone living with autism’.”Article contentThis piece of feedback proved to be a catalyst for adding a second play.Article contentThe script for ‘Living in Autism’ was generated largely by prompted group discussions, said Brake.Article content“We would ask a question and just let people talk,” she said, “and I would furiously transcribe the conversation.”
Local theatre group brings lived experience with autism to the stage
