The Ottawa School of Speech and Drama (OSSD) has been providing education and training in drama, theatre and speech arts to students aged three and up since 1988. Expanding its programming over the years to reach out to under-served populations in Ottawa, OSSD recently launched the Red Kite project in partnership with the Chicago Children’s Theatre (CCT) and the MASC artistic group.
A multi-sensory, interactive theatre experience tailored to the needs and interests of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the “Red Kite, Blue Sky” production was designed as the first stage of this vital new resource for Eastern Ontario. With the support of a 2011 grant from the Ottawa Community Foundation, OSSD worked with its partners to develop workshops and stage performances in schools and other venues in order to connect with a higher number of ASD children across the city.
“There are thousands of children identified on the autism spectrum in the Ottawa region,” says Erin Downey-Silcoff, interim Artistic Director of OSSD, “and to date there is very little artistic programming geared specifically to their needs. Recent studies have shown that working with drama greatly expands the social abilities of students with ASD.” Since launching a pilot series of school workshops last June, OSSD ran a series of 12-week in-house courses in the fall and winter, as well as school residency workshops through MASC.
Introduced to the “Red Kite” concept by Jacqueline Russell, Artistic Director of CCT, the project is infused with her sensibility and experience in working with special needs audiences, especially those on the autism spectrum. “We have been so lucky to benefit from Jacqui’s wisdom and hands-on work in this area over the last 15 years,” said Erin. “She helped us with everything from developing the curriculum for the workshops to designing the interactive performances.”
With the help of the Community Foundation grant, OSSD has since expanded the project to include a “Drama Sensations” educational component to their programming, passing along the Red Kite production reins to an independent actor and producer. The grant has also allowed the school to contract a community development coordinator to help forge relationships with other key partners and community groups with expertise in ASD, while starting new fundraising projects that will ensure the drama classes for students on the autism spectrum can be easily subsidized to make it affordable for the community.
“No other group in Eastern Ontario is offering specialized drama programming for children and youth on the autism spectrum,” says Erin, “and from our work in the area we feel it really can make a positive difference in how the children interact with others and use creativity to express themselves.”
“OSSD is doing a spot-on job offering these programs to such an under-served community. The dynamic of the teaching model is a great fit for my son – he’s so happy when he comes out of the class and he can’t stop telling us drama is his favourite program.” Drama Sensations’ participant parent.
“As a mom, all you want is for your child to be engaged and happy. During Red Kite, I saw the way drama can bring out something special in my son and his peers – it offers them a wonderful way to be themselves.” Red Kite audience member parent.
“It is true theatre – it is pure joy, as the kids are in the moment and feel the magic of the experience. To see the reactions of the kids is amazing.” Andy Massingham, Rideau-Award winning actor.