Limitless Actors

Limitless Actors

Bring diversity to our community arts sector. This programme is dedicated to enhancing the lives of adults who have intellectual disabilities, people who are often marginalised and have little to access to mainstream activities in the community.

We enable 'dis' abled people with a passion for the arts to be meaningfully involved in an exciting community drama project. Tall Poppies Community Performance Trust (a not for profit, charitable organization) is seeking funding support to run a 30 week performance programme for 20 adults from the Manawatu region.

The programme is specifically designed to spark creativity, self-confidence, social interaction and improve self¬- esteem. The sessions are engaging, fun and interactive and activities are always inclusive and individualized.

Since we established the first drama classes for adults and children with special needs in 2015, the program has grown and gained traction with more people wanting to join and people wanting to return year after year. “Limitless Actors” have demonstrated the value that comes from being part of this programme, helping to develop their skills and having the opportunity to perform.

Many of the students are members of the Creative Journeys Group and parents/caregivers have made comments throughout the year on how they had noticed an improvement in the confidence and self-esteem of the students.

What people are saying-

A recent letter from Lawrence Chok spoke about our programme saying ‘[The Tall Poppies Programme] ….has been very valuable to the attending group members of Creative Journeys Ltd. Tall Poppies have given our group members who attend great purpose and also assistance towards building their personal confidence. Morghan, the teacher, has managed to get all the group members out of their shell and Tall Poppies have always been able to facilitate for group members who are wanting to get into theatre and drama but don’t fit into the regular normality’s.’ Lawrence Chok | Manager, Creative Journeys Limited.’

From a parent‘ # has been more or less bedroom-bound for quite a few years now. She is only 21, has an intellectual disability and is extremely shy. As her mother, I have taken her from one group to another for many years and it has been quite some time since she responded with such certainty and excitement to any of them, until the drama group in 2015. From the minute she set foot in the door, there was no doubt of where she wanted to be, even though she can barely speak. #was encouraged to have her say, take part and put her ideas forward, and she really felt she counted! I have always encouraged her at home to speak up, make decisions etc, but the response has been practically non-existent. After 3 weeks in the drama group, she was noticeably more animated at home, happily putting in her ideas and taking a more active part in family life. She also became interested in going to see plays. This course has changed her life!’ - Parent

Students will participate in the wider Tall Poppies Community Performance Trust activities and allow the wider community to see how it is possible for mainstream and special needs groups to work together in the Arts; but it may also spark imagination in the business community on ways that Limitless Actors and other marginalized adult groups, with support, could be included in their business models.

Public performances will raise awareness not only amongst other Tall Poppies students and teachers but also the wider community; breaking down barriers and allowing others an insight into the abilities rather than the disabilities of our students.

Our vision is to produce high quality and effective lessons that promote inclusion and positive self-esteem and impact integration in mainstream activities in the community.