About Us

Interactive Drama for Education and Awareness in the Schools (IDEAS) was established to bring creative improvisational drama programs to schools and after-school settings serving youth with disabilities and/or other disadvantages, ages 5-21, grades K-12. IDEAS aims to offer drama at the heart of a well-rounded education that focuses on the individual. We are interested in using drama as a teaching and learning tool with populations that are often excluded from participating in theater. These populations include those with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities as well as other disadvantages, be they social, economic, or geographic.  We also have individual workshops for parents, staff and other adults that work with these youth.   All programs are in partnership with an educational site, so that IDEAS programs go where the youth are.

Participants in IDEAS’ programs have the opportunity to creatively experience a variety of situations through the theater technique of improvisation, as well as adaptations of scripts and stories. We envision drama to be a true learning experience of the self as well of theater acting techniques, use of props and costumes to enhance character and story, and replacing pressure to perform with joy of performing or participating as a crew member, creating a true ensemble.

We work with youth who are on the autistic spectrum, deaf, blind, have attention deficits, a host of learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, multiple disabilities, cognitive delays, physical disabilities, and those with emotional and behavior problems. The disadvantaged youth we serve include homeless or formerly homeless, youth who have been witness to domestic violence, direct or indirect substance abuse, youth who live in group homes for a variety of reasons, youth in families below the poverty line and youth with immediate family members in prison. All activities emphasize respect and cooperation and are a catalyst for personal growth, development and learning. IDEAS aims to provide an avenue for interaction in a congenial atmosphere, where students can exercise their creativity, self-expression, and risk-taking skills in a safe space while learning about themselves and others.

DVD available upon request.