Awareness Theater Company

Current Shows

Many of our shows are available on blip.tv.

And Justice For All, 2008

Commissioned by the Vermont Center for Crime Victim’s services, this play shows scenarios about the victimization of our most vulnerable populations: elders, teens and people with disabilities. Each scenario ends with information about an agency that can assist people who find themselves in the situation the scenario present meet their needs. In this piece “the true stories of Vermont victims of crime come alive on stage in a manner that elevates and inspires the audience, and occasionally makes them laugh- even when dealing with these difficult subjects.”

This piece is performed for audiences in senior centers, service provider agencies, and schools. For the school shows, ATC is joined by the SafeArt ensemble. SafeArt, created and directed, by Tracy Penfield is an organization that addresses abusive behavior in relationships through programs that deal with prevention, intervention, and the healing of survivors.

The series of skits range from in topic from elder abuse, late-life domestic violence, caregiver abuse, financial exploitation, bullying, teen dating violence, sexual abuse to internet stalking and can be customized for each audience. A question and answer period with local professionals from Victim Advocacy groups follows each performance.

Silent But Outspoken, 2008

This show was written by Edward Burke. Here’s what he has to say about it- "The show is an abstract history of my struggles and triumphs dealing with a developmental disability. On the outside, my demeanor is "silent but outspoken"; you wouldn't conclude just by looking at me that I have a disability. On the inside, though, my troubles are "silent, but deadly"....certainly not life-threatening, but deadly to my success as an independent adult if I cannot find ways to compensate for my non-verbal learning difficulties. Luckily I have found ways to compensate for the difficulties, and the proof is in this show, which includes my birth as an interpretive dance, festive music, (including a vowel-sound chant), colorful costumes, my weird sense of humor, and numerous examples which show I am way better with the liberal arts than I am with anything mathematical or scientific. All that's left to say is: watch out for flying numbers."

A Car Owner's Lament, 2007

This show was written by Emily Anderson. It tells the sad story of the demise of her car through vandalism and introduces the Parallel Justice Program. The Parallel Justice Program is a program that has been piloted in 3 cities in the U.S. by the National Center for Crime Victim Services. Burlington, Vermont is one of those cities. Parallel Justice aims to meet the needs of victims of property damage, assault and theft regardless of whether their perpetrator was caught. The societal message behind the program is “What happened to you was wrong and we will help you to rebuild your life.”

Hamster Series, 2006

Camille Cardinal’s two-part series is illustrated by her original artwork. In My Hamster, “Bear” advocates for a better life. In Hamster Heaven, Camille learns from Bear what life is like on “the other side.” Camille is eager to perform these in your venue.

I'll Fly Away, 2001

I’ll Fly Away is a Cantastoria; an old style of theater used in many different cultures in the world. In this short musical show, we tell the story of a green bird whose neighborhood is filled with pink birds.

The Awareness Theater Company VCAM TV Show

We create a new episode every month that is aired every week: Thursdays 4:30 pm, Fridays 10 am, Saturdays 8:30 pm. Each 30-minute episode features colorful animation, ATC’s innovative theater work and interviews with the performers. Please contact us if you’d like a copy of one of our shows. We can send you one for $5—contact Emily.

Bill’s Bill, 2006

DVDs

Bill's Bill, The Movie

VSA Vermont’s Awareness Theater Company’s “Bill’s Bill” is a 15-minute movie created by Emily Anderson that tells the real life tale of a boy who shows up at the Vermont legislature to participate in the creation of yet another chapter in the history of special education in Northern Vermont. We present the story by showing the life stories of four of the major characters. Story number one shows Theresa Villemaire saying “No!” to institutionalizing her son. Story two presents Sister Janice Ryan following her Reverend Mother’s direction to learn to teach religion to “special” children and answering college students’ pleas by creating the first special education teacher training program in the area. The third story features Bill and the moment in which his family realized his scholastic potential. Finally, story number four shows Legislator Lorraine Graham, champion of many special education laws, introducing Bill’s Bill and inviting Bill to the testify in front of the legislature. “I refuse to stay at home and watch my skills deteriorate!” were his words.

Order Bill's Bill on DVD.

Videographers: Jim Heltz of Green Mountain Video and Gail Marlene Schwartz of Third Story Window. The film was funded by the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council, the Schwartz Family Foundation and the Vermont Department of Aging, Disability and Independent Living.

Our Bill of Rights (Video), 2003

This 18-minute video begins with a short history lesson about the United States Bill of Rights. Self-advocates then describe all the rights and responsibilities that are important to them. This video ends with 3 short stories which demonstrate the rights in everyday life. Without question, Our Bill of Rights is entertaining as well as educational. It is an excellent training tool for people with disabilities, support staff, agency boards and the public in general.

Videographer: Green Mountain Video
Performance by: The Awareness Theater Company
Running time: 18 minutes Closed captioned
© 2004 Green Mountain Self-Advocates. All rights reserved. 73 Main St., Suite 401, Montpelier, VT 05602, 802-229-2600, gmsa@sover.net (If you would like a copy, please contact Green Mountain Self-Advocates.)

VT Developmental Services Appeal Process (Video), 2001

For more information contact us directly!

VT Developmental Services Complaint Process (Video), 2001

For more information contact us directly!

Archival Pieces

Bon Journo Santo Valentine, 2007

This show was commissioned by Community Associates of Addison County. It premiered at the Celebrate Sexuality Conference on May 4th, 2007. In it, Saint Valentine defines different kinds of human relationships some of which have historically been “taboo” topics for people with developmental disabilities. A protagonist named Miss Information has her mind changed as a result. In addition, the verse of Peter Burns accentuates the messages we promote. We’d love an opportunity to rework this show and take it on the road to more Love and Sexuality conferences!

Bill’s Bill, 2006

Our history of Special Education in Northwestern Vermont is presented by telling the life stories of 5 people who were united through a piece of legislation fondly known as Bill’s Bill. This piece was created by Emily with adults from Champlain Community Services. Later, it was performed by members of the Awareness Theater.

Divine Rhymes Just in Time, 2002

We created this piece with story teller, Peter Burns specifically to perform at libraries in the summer time. In it, we use props and performers to bring to life several well known Mother Goose Rhymes.

How Junk Food Saved My Life, 2001

A true story created and performed by Joel Bertelson. It features his artwork.

Little Red Riding Hood, 2001

A one-man show created by former member, Robin Shockey.

Grace, 2001

A tribute created by Emily Anderson and performed by Richard Lawrence as a tribute to Don Sunseri, founder of G.R.A.C.E. It features paintings and a paper mache wild turkey created by former member, Richard Lawrence.

Changing Places, 2001 [current]

This show was created by Ricardo Sexton. Using a large cardboard house and small cardboard characters, he tells his life story through the places he’s lived and the jobs he’s had.

The Pigs of Oz, 2000

This piece was originally created in a VSA Vermont Theater Class. It artfully weaves together 3 tales. We’ve performed it all over Vermont, New York City and Washington D.C.

Speaking for Ourselves, 1998

Our first show. It’s an upbeat, informative piece about 6 kinds of abuse that people with developmentally disabilities might experience and informs them what they can do about it.