VISIBLE THEATRE

presents

“KRANKENHAUS BLUES”

A NEW PLAY BY SAM FORMAN

Directed by DONNA MITCHELL

Performances will begin October 5 at the

Dorothy Strelsin Theatre in the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex

Officially Opens October 8

            (New York) August 18, 2006—Visible Theatre (Krista Smith, Artistic Director) will present a re-mounting of Sam Forman’s new play “KRANKENHAUS BLUES,” directed by Donna Mitchell, at the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre, part of the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex, 312 West 36th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues.)  Performances will begin on October 5 and the official opening performance will be Sunday, October 8 at 3:00 p.m.  Performances will run through Sunday, November 5.

            “KRANKENHAUS BLUES” is a frightening and funny play about disability issues, genocide, and the grim realities of show business.  A playwright, an actress and a clown are locked in a Nazi asylum for reasons beyond their comprehension.  Moving effortlessly between 1930’s Berlin and present day New York City, the characters make great efforts to connect with each other as they confront their existentially bleak surroundings.  Artistic Director Smith says:  “’KRANKENHAUS BLUES,” for me, is about the disconnect that we often feel in today’s society regarding horrific events and our struggle to connect to our own humanity.

            Sam Forman is the lyricist and co-book author for the musical I Sing! which has been produced off-Broadway and in theaters throughout the world.  (A recording from The York Theater Concert Cast of I Sing! is available in stores on the Jay Records label.)  Sam’s other plays and musicals include: The Grille Room (Cherry Lane Mentor Project 2005); Quarterlife (Workshop at The Ford Center, dir. Mark Brokaw); Fringical! (Ars Nova, NYC; American Theatre of Actors, New York Musical Festival 2004); The Quiet Game (Hangar Theater, Ithaca NY); Please Stop Talking (The Cherry Lane, NYC); Hunter For Hunter Green (Singularity Company, NYC); Utica Forever (Chashama, NYC); Schmoozy Togetherness: a kid's play (Manhattan Theater Source, NYC); Narcissus and Goldstein (Pantheon Theater, NYC); Rob (Naked Angels, NYC); Do You Like Me Europe? (Dostotheaterfest, Berlin) Living Arts / I’m In Relationship Hell (Magnetic North).  He is currently developing an original television series for AMC, and is the producer of the late night cabaret phenomenon Creation Nation at Ars Nova, NYC. 

            Donna Mitchell’s directing credits include a Los Angeles production of August Strindberg’s The Pelican starring Salome Jens.  For that production she also collaborated with Strindberg scholar Anne-Charlotte Harvey on a new translation of the play.  In New York she directed Irish playwright Jim Doyle’s play Kevin Barry at the Workshop Theater Company, and was at the helm for Visible’s production of Krankenhaus Blues when it premiered and ran at the Blue Heron Studio Theater in 2005.  Her acting credits in theater include playing Martha in Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, directed by Arthur Penn and leading roles in New Group productions of Elmer Rice’s The Adding Machine and Brian Friel’s Faith Healer, both directed by Scott Elliott.  Her movie roles include parts in: Syriana, Mona Lisa Smile, The Baxter, The Ice Storm, The Rookie, Wet Hot American Summer, and Pollack.

The cast includes:  Christine Bruno (Anka, an actress), Bill Green (Bruno, the plawright), Joe Sims (Fritz, a clown) and Angela DeMatteo (as a nurse).  Ms. Bruno and Mr. Green are members of the Actors Studio and all four actors are members of the Visible LAB.  The set and costume design will be by Kimi Maeda and the lighting design by Paul Jepson.  Music will be composed and performed by Helen Yee, with additional song material written by Hannah Hens-Piazza.  The production stage manager will be Emily Alexander-Wilmeth.

“Since founding the Visible Theatre in 2000, Krista Smith, an actress, director, and advocate for people with disabilities, has nurtured a range of theatrical projects that are bringing able and disabled bodies together in performance.  With a vision directed toward confronting issues of social exclusion and a mission to foster long-term development of provocative theatre art, the Visible Theatre enfolds all bodies in its theatre training, workshops, and new play development.  In addition to producing original theatre pieces, the theatre sponsors The True Story Project, a performance collaborative devoted to autobiographical storytelling, and the Visible Lab, a studio for actors, writers, and directors to share work-in-progress…(in Visible’s Krankenhaus Blues) Donna Mitchell’s direction carves out a taut, seventy-minute, mind-bending roller coaster…with swiftly moving episodes, dynamically acted”—Susan Tenneriello, Brooklyn College forthcoming review, Theatre Journal 58:3 (October 2006). .”  This fall’s production of Krankenhaus Blues will be dedicated to the memory of playwright John Belluso, a Visible Board member, friend and inspiration for Visible’s mission and work.

The five-week performance schedule (October 5 through November 5) for “KRANKENHAUS BLUES” will be: Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m.  The official Opening Performance will be Sunday, October 8 at 3:00 p.m.  Tickets will be $20.00.  The student and senior rate will be $15.00.  TDF vouchers will be accepted.  The box office number for reservations is Smarttix at 212-868-4444 or www.smarttix.com.  For information about Visible Theatre, visit www.visibletheatre.org

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The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) blogs abroad initiative allows our writers to share their international and cross cultural experiences as they happen!

The goal is to allow readers a chance to discover the opportunities an international experience such as studying, volunteering or teaching abroad offers them, if they will only take the leap.

Led by a world-renowned mountaineer who is blind, this group of high school students with visual impairments embark on an adventure program in Peru. Read their summer overseas tales starting on June 10, 2006 as they Lead the Way on Global Explorers program
< http://www.globalexplorers.org/site/leadingtheway/ >.

Megan, a senior in a North California high school, is a wheelchair user that did her second international experience in Costa Rica and Peru with Cross Cultural Solutions < http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/ >! Follow Megan through her adventure, post comments and ask questions at Disabled Traveler < http://disabledtraveler.blogspot.com/ >!

Christie is settling into life in Hong Kong. Read about her adventures with food, banking and learning what Hong Kong has to offer it's citizen's who are blind or visually impaired. If you want to be notified by email when Christie posts an update just click subscribe on any one of her posts. Christie received a Fulbright Scholarship
< http://exchanges.state.gov/education/fulbright/about.htm >to study as a college student in Hong Kong. Christie is working towards her doctorate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is blind. Follow her adventures at Hong Kong Fulbrighter
< http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Hong-Kong-Fulbrighter/ >.

Stuart Olsen is a double amputee studying abroad for the summer in the Czech Republic. Stuart is originally from Bulgaria and was adopted as a young teen by an American family. Following his study abroad he will return to Bulgaria for the first time in nearly 11 years.
< http://solsen08.blogspot.com/>

The NCDE is managed by Mobility International USA (www.miusa.org) and funded by the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to increase the participation of people with disabilities in the full range of international educational opportunities by:

- Educating people with disabilities and disability-related organizations about international educational exchange opportunities

- Providing international exchange organizations with practical how-to consulting and training on including people with disabilities in their programs.

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Fulbright information

-- Fulbright is looking for institutional, ethnic, and

    geographical diversity

-- Fulbright U.S. Student program has the largest number of

    grants available in the history of the program (this year we will award

    over 1,300 grants)

-- New Language Training Awards are available:   https://us.fulbrightonline.org/news_story.php?id=86

            -- English Teaching Assistantships have expanded, as well:

            https://us.fulbrightonline.org/thinking_teaching.html

Here is the link to the newsletter:

http://newsletter.fulbrightonline.org/applicant_newsletter/20060710

            Christie L. Gilson, Research Associate, Fulbright Fellow

            email: cgilson@hkucc.hku.hk

            blog: www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Hong-Kong-Fulbrighter/

            Skype: Christie8188

            Christie L. Gilson, MSW, Doctoral Candidate

            Department of Special Education, College of Education,

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

            1310 S. Sixth St., Room 288

            Champaign, IL 61820

            U.S.A.

            email: cgilson@uiuc.edu

For more information on NDSU visit: www.disabledstudents.org

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IDEA Amendments Set to

Reinforce No Child Left Behind

Advocates claim Part B Final Regulations another step toward equality in education

By releasing the Part B Final Regulations in early August, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings dotted the ‘i’ and crossed the ‘t,’ officially securing the 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

In a written statement to supporters, Office of Special Education Programs Director Alexa Posny said the implementation of Part B shows that Secretary Spellings has “made it her mission” to fulfill the mandates of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). 

The written statement lauded Secretary Spellings for her efforts, stating that now NCLB and IDEA can “become a reality in every state, school district and classroom in the country.  According to the statement, “[Spellings] has been, and continues to be, a strong advocate for the alignment of NCLB and IDEA to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence for all children throughout the nation.”

President Bush signed the reauthorization of IDEA on Dec. 3, 2004. 

After the signing, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) conducted public meetings, around the country, designed to gather suggestions for proposed regulations.  The public meetings found enormous support and excellent feedback, according to OSERS.

OSERS representatives said the meetings yielded useful information used to make clarifications in the final regulations released in August by Secretary Spellings.

“We still have work to do,” said John Hager of OSERS.  Hager and company said they are now busy responding to comments and making revisions to Part C.

To read Part B Final Regulations in full, please visit http://www.ed.gov/IDEA.

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  August 12, 2006 Recruitment Announcement:

       NCD Youth Advisory Committee Seeks Four Members

The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) for the National Council on

Disability (NCD) announces the opening of a nationwide search

for four new members. One of the positions is reserved

specifically for high school students. NCD is an independent

federal agency, headed by 15 Council Members appointed by the

President and confirmed by the Senate. The collective

responsibility of NCD is to make recommendations to the

President and Congress on issues affecting all Americans with

disabilities. NCD's overall purpose is to promote policies,

programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal

opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless

of the nature or severity of the disability; and to support the

empowerment of individuals with disabilities to achieve

economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion

and integration into all aspects of society.

The YAC, a 12 member advisory committee with applicant ages

from 16-25 encourages youth across disability sectors, diverse

racial and ethnic groups, and under-represented areas of the

country to apply. Application documents must be received

through E-mail by September 14, 2006 at 5:00 PM Eastern

Daylight Time.

The application consists of:

(1) Resume

(2) A cover letter pointing out what makes you the best

     candidate for a position of national level leadership as

     a representative of youth with disabilities, and

(3) One letter of recommendation from an adult who is familiar

     with your leadership and disability experiences and

     potential. A recommendation by someone who is not your

     parent/guardian is requested.

(4) A brief daytime telephone interview with you may also be needed

     for a selected list of finalists among the top applicants.

Please send only electronic documents (use e-mail only) to be

considered as a YAC applicant during this recruitment period.

E-mail your resume, your cover letter, and one letter of

recommendation to: YOUTH@ncd.gov

Attn: Dr. Gerrie Hawkins

     Designated Federal Official

     Youth Advisory Committee

     National Council on Disability

     Youth@ncd.gov

Please do not send your application to any other address, if

you wish it reviewed for this recruitment period.

The YAC ensures that NCD's policy recommendations and

activities give consideration to the perspectives of young

people with disabilities. Meetings are planned and conducted

through teleconference arrangements under NCDs budget. If a

face-to-face meeting occurs travel and lodging are assumed by

the agency for active members of the committee, in accordance

with federal guidelines.

To read more about the YAC, see the brochure (attached as WORD

and Text only) and feel free to check out the NCD Website at:

http://www.ncd.gov.

If you have questions, please contact youth leaders Gina

Semenza (YAC Chair outgoing) or Stephanie Orlando (YAC incoming

Chair) at YOUTH@ncd.gov

We look forward to receiving your application documents at:

YOUTH@ncd.gov . . . by September 14, 2006 at 5:00 PM Eastern

Daylight Time.

Mark S. Quigley

Director of Communications

National Council on Disability

1331 F Street, NW Suite 850

Washington, DC 20004

For more news issues, see:

http://www.aapd.com/News/disability/indexdisability.php

Old <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Old

2006 Paralympics at a glance

Date: March 10-19

Place: Turin, Italy

Participating countries: 40

Athletes: 600

Sport Disciplines: 5 (Biathlon, Wheelchair Curling, Alpine skiing, Cross-country skiing, Sledge hockey)

Budget: $58.8 million in U.S. currency

For more details on the results, go to:

http://www.paralympicgames.torino2006.org

Watch it all over again:

www.paralympicsport.tv

                                      Total Medals          

1. Russian Federation                 33                   

2. Germany                                18                            

3. Ukraine                                  25                       

4. France                                   15                                

5. United States                         12                     

6. Canada                                  13

7. Austria                                   14

8. Japan                                       9

9. Italy                                         8

10. Poland                                   2

11. Belarus                                  9

12. Norway                                 5

13. Australia                                2

14. Spain                                     2

15. Switzerland                            2

16. Slovakia                                2

17. Czech Republic                     1

18. Great Britain                          1

19. Sweden                                 1

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Physical Therapy Month – October

The New Hampshire Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association is
organizing their 3rd Annual 5K Fun Run. Included is a category for wheelchair users.

When: Oct 29th, 2006

Location: Concord, NH

For more details, we’ll keep you updated!

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New Website! Bike-On 

http://bike-on.com 

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Diversity Leadership Program

Theresa Squires from Michigan Disability Rights Coalition is working on a project called CONNECT (College Organizations Networking Now Each creating Ties) to connect disability groups on campus to each other and their resources in their communities.  While doing this work She came across a leadership program given by Monster.com, called Diversity Leadership Program (DLP) this program looks fantastic but in their time they have had the program they have only had one student with a disability in their program.  They have been working with them to make their program accessible and providing accommodations.  They really hope that young leaders will sign up!

The program is free to all students accepted, here is a brief overview of the program Monster Diversity Leadership Program, Monster DLP is a highly selective leadership program designed to help college students of diverse background develop fundamental career skills, gain access to top companies and discover or embrace their passion. 
Applications are taking on a rolling basis and fill up quickly so apply online today at

http://www.monsterdlp.com/student/start/default.asp

Please contact her if you are interested in this opportunity.

Thanks,
Theresa Squires
College Leadership Coordinator
Americorps Vista*
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition
780 W. Lake Lansing Ste. 200
East Lansing, MI 48823
517.333.2477 ext. 26
Tsquires@match.org
www.copower.org

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Shocking story about 5th grader with CP forced to crawl in classroom

Published March 9, 2006

Wes Johnson
News-Leader

State checking Bissett abuse allegations

More parents tell of other examples of possible abuse of a fifth-grade girl.

The state Department of Social Services is looking into allegations of abuse and neglect involving a Springfield fifth-grader, even as new claims of abuse surfaced Wednesday.

Parents Taci and Jim Mathers said they talked to a DSS investigator about their claims that a Bissett Elementary School teacher made their disabled daughter, Jacqueline Smith-Jackson, crawl up concrete steps outside the school and also across the floor to her classroom desk on several occasions.

On Wednesday, another parent said the teacher had sought student volunteers to sit with Jacqueline during lunch or recess. If no one volunteered, the teacher had students draw straws - in front of Jacqueline - to see who had to undertake that chore.

"I think it's wrong," said Pam Lawrence, whose daughter Heather is a classmate of Jacqueline. "I can't even imagine what kind of feeling that would give Jacqueline, seeing that."

Lawrence said the drawing of straws wasn't an isolated incident.

"I talked to my daughter, and she said it happened more than a couple of times," Lawrence said.

The DSS investigator who spoke with the Matherses this week said she could not comment about the case and referred calls to DSS headquarters.

DSS spokeswoman Deborah Scott couldn't confirm the agency was involved.

However, she said if the department did conduct an investigation and the allegations were substantiated, it would release a report within 30 days.

"The report would be given to the school, the parents and the perpetrator," Scott said.

Scott said that a DSS investigation of alleged abuse at a school also initiates a "co-investigation" by local law enforcement.

It was not clear late Wednesday whether Springfield police were investigating.

Springfield School Superintendent Norm Ridder said the district is taking the Mathers' complaint seriously.

"We're moving the process ahead and making sure we're finding the truth," Ridder said Wednesday.

The case involves Jacqueline's fifth-grade teacher, Patricia Wright.

During a tape-recorded meeting with the Matherses, Wright said she made Jacqueline crawl instead of walk out of concern that she might fall and hurt herself.

Jacqueline has cerebral palsy and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. She has had recent surgeries that hamper her ability to walk. She frequently uses a walker or wears a gait belt that lets others steady her while she walks.

During a meeting in January, Taci Mathers said she asked the school to provide an aide to help her daughter walk.

Jacqueline's physician, Dr. T.S. Park of Children's Hospital in St. Louis, wrote a letter urging the school to supply an aide.

"An aide is needed until Jacqueline can walk without assistance," he wrote. "She also will need an adult with her during recess."

Taci Mathers said the school didn't refuse to provide an aide, but made it clear they felt Jacqueline would be better off without an aide.

"It doesn't make any sense to me," she said. "They have an aide on the school bus to help Jacqueline on and off the bus, but they don't have an aide for her at the school."

The Matherses say they are also concerned about their daughter being left behind in her classroom during a school fire drill.

They learned of the incident from another parent who found Jacqueline alone in her classroom during the drill.

The News-Leader agreed to use the parent's comments anonymously because she fears retribution toward her school-age children if she is identified.

"I approached two staff members about it and was told, 'It's only a drill - she'd be more at risk of getting hurt from going in and out during the drill than staying in the class,'" the woman said. "If you ask me, that's the purpose of a drill - to see if you can get people out."

Springfield Fire Marshal R.Z. Smith said it's best for everyone to evacuate a school during a drill so that students and teachers know what's expected.

"A drill keeps the staff aware of what they're supposed to do, and for students, it helps maintain order," Smith said. "They're less apt to panic if they've been through drills before."

In rare circumstances, he said, it might be better to leave a disabled person "sheltered in place" during a real fire and alert firefighters of the location, if moving the person might put them in more danger.

"But the best way to do it, the safest way, is to have a system in place where you evacuate everyone," he said. "When we're invited to do a fire drill, we want everyone to come out of the building. If a disabled student can walk, I think they should have to go outside on fire drills, too."

Ridder said the district's investigation should be finished by Monday or Tuesday.

"Our primary concern is that the child is safe and that the adults involved have the right training," he said. "We're well on our way to making some decisions pretty quickly."

Andrew Imparato, president of Washington, D.C.-based American Association of People with Disabilities, said his organization is interested in the Matherses' case.

"It sounds outrageous," he said. "The Department of Education requires children to be provided a free education and equal access to educational services. That's clearly not happening here. Other children are not required to crawl to their classrooms."

Imparato said his organization can provide information and support for parents facing issues like the Matherses.

"Teachers need to remember that disabled kids are students, too,' he said. "Every now and then I hear these kinds of medieval situations. It's shocking."

For more information on NDSU visit: www.disabledstudents.org