Making SENSE of Autism

By Megan Wood The Press Tribune

There’s something about being onstage that transforms Michael Valcour.

Under the bright lights of the Magic Circle Theatre, Valcour speaks with a purpose, dances with ease and sings with complete confidence.

Offstage, he becomes quiet, standoffish and has difficulty with the rhythm and comprehension of everyday conversation.

Onstage, you would never guess that the 37 year-old with a powerful singing voice has autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects one in every 150 American children.

But SENSE Theatre, and its co-founder Blythe Corbett have given Valcour and his 14 fellow cast mates of all ages diagnosed with varying degrees of autism, a chance at showbiz.

“Theater is transforming for anyone, regardless of their abilities,” Corbett said. “But for children with autism, it’s a vehicle for them to express themselves and be social with other typically developing children.”

For the past eight years, Corbett has been studying the social and emotional processes in children with Autism at the MIND institute at UC Davis. A former actress herself, Corbett saw theatre as a form of intervention to improve the functioning of children with autism.

SENSE Theatre is now in its second year bringing Dorothy and the gang to life with “The Wizard of Oz.”

The program has partnered with the Magic Circle Theatre’s master class, which recently held their own production of “The Wizard of Oz,” to pair typically developing children with counterparts with varying degrees of Autism or “buddyies.” The children act alongside each other in full stage productions that improve their social interaction skills.

Ten-year-old Sammie Lee is a veteran actor with Magic Circle, having been in productions since she was four. Her role in “The Wizard of Oz” represents her 28th production, but none has been as impactful, as her role with SENSE.

“(From) the first day we met our buddies to how they are onstage now has been amazing,” Sammie said. “They’re all so good and have improved so much.”

Sammie is partnered with Claire Patton to provide guidance and onstage support in her roles as an Ozian and a Monkey.

“Before she wanted her mom all the time and would whisper everything,” Sammie said. “Now she talks to everyone and gives hugs and actually enjoys being onstage. I’m so proud of her.”

SENSE parent Becky Leung has seen her son, Eric, make major strides in his social skills and coping with conflict.

“He’s very rigid, everything has to stick to a schedule or he gets upset,” Leung said. “But in theatre, not everything is routine. There’s changes and he’s doing better with that.”

A big improvement in her son came on the night costumes were handed out. Eric, a munchkin in the production, was handed his green ensemble and, to his mother’s surprise, didn’t have an outburst about the change in wardrobe.

“He normally will only wear blue and white, his school uniform colors,” Leung said. “Wearing all black and now the bright green without a fit is a big step for him.”

At first, Leung said she was nervous about 12-year-old Eric’s reaction of being on onstage without her supervision. But with the help of his “buddy,” Eric has taken his role, singing, dancing and all, in stride.

“He loves to sing, and being able to do the other things in the play have really built up his confidence,”Leung said. “He has a lot of support and positive reinforcement here. This gives him something to be proud of, something he’ll remember for a very long time.”

Know and Go

Sense Theatre presents “The Wizard of Oz”

When: 7:30 p.m. Tonight

2 p.m. March 7

Cost: Tickets $15

Where: Magic Circle Theatre

241 Vernon St.

Info: To purchase tickets or for more information sensetheatre.com

Megan Wood can be reached at meganw@goldcountrymedia.com