A Play Like No Other

I love going to see plays.

Some of my favorite plays that I’ve seen at the Dayton Schuster Center are Motown, The Lion King, and Tina.

You would think with all of the plays I’ve seen; I would have seen an actor or actress in a wheelchair. When I say this, I mean an actor or actress that has a disability and not just acting like he or she does.

Representation means everything to me because when I see someone who looks like me doing something positive, it makes me feel empowered.

Recently, I learned of an off-Broadway play that I really want to see.

The play, All of Me, not only features an actor and actress with a disability, but it also tackles the subject matter of love. I’m all in. I have yet to see a play of this type featuring my peers talking about a topic that I frankly believe is ignored in society.

This play tackles other subjects that affect people with disabilities. One is the matter of someone being non-verbal and using a communication device.

Although I have a speech impairment, I can still talk. I often receive “the look” when people can’t understand what I’m saying, but I’ve learned how to articulate over the years so that I can be understood.

When one is unable to speak at all, the assumption that the individual is unable to articulate on what they need or how they communicate comes into play.

Another subject this play conquers is when there is a single parent and the individual has a disability. Again, many in society don’t think people with disabilities can have children, no less be a single parent.

There’re many elements to this play that will make people think. This world is made up of many different people and the disability community is alive and well. This play also talks about the matter of dating. Again, dating with a disability is just a part of life and I’m so glad it’s being brought to the forefront.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kyra-sedgwick-and-the-lighter-side-of-disability-in-all-of-me/

If you ask me, I think a play of this kind is long overdue. I could have benefited from seeing a play like this in my young adult years. But as the saying goes, better late than never.

I’m happy this play is out. It’s my hope everyone will find their way to see it. Hopefully, it will not only open people’s eyes to disability awareness but create more acting opportunities for actors and actresses with disabilities.