The Surface tells the story of a chance meeting between the Atlantian Royal Family and a gaggle of ragtag Coney Island street musicians. When ancient grudges and prejudices cause turmoil in Atlantis and the Big Apple, two outsiders must unite these very different worlds to bring back peace and harmony.
Created collaboratively by Actionplay’s actors (with music by Broadway music director Or Matias and lyrics by award-winning autistic writer Jackson Tucker-Meyer),
The Surface
Actionplay is Striving to Build a More Inclusive World!
Actionplay is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing children, teens, and adults on the autism spectrum and related conditions equal access to education, arts, and culture. Actionplay’s creative and compassionate learning environments, professional development, and training modules teach respectful ways of inviting people on the autism spectrum to experience education, arts, and culture. All Actionplay programs are open to the general public.
Action-Improv Musical Series (AIMS)
Actionplay’s signature program open to the general public is an inclusive improvisational music and theatre residency for teens and adults on the autism spectrum and with related conditions. Led by theatre director Aaron Feinstein and Music Therapist Gabriel Lit, the group creates original pieces about the unique interests and passions of our performers in a supportive space. Inspired by the work of Elaine Hall and The Miracle Project ,™ The Miracle Project New York, DIRFloortime™ developmental approach, and Nordoff Robbins™ music therapy, the goal of this program is to encourage greater confidence and increase communication and social skills. In 2019-2020 Actionplay is offering this program at many sites, including ART NY, the Center for All Abilities, and Ohel Bais Ezra.
Other Popular Programs
“Meet ActionPlay, a bold and brave performing arts program empowering young people on the autism spectrum. Carrie Lobman talks to founder Aaron Feinstein and his creative collaborators, Jackson Tucker-Meyer and Edison Weinstein, about the wondrous ActionPlay zone where neurodiverse ensembles (mentored and cheered on by their friends, family and professional theatre and film supporters) sing, dance and perform their hearts out to create a playful space where no one must conform and all can belong. “It’s my social spot…my happy place! A place to feel new emotions.”
“I’m Not Your Star” is an original song from The Actionplay Chorus record “Welcome to My World”
Welcome To My World is an original musical that follows a teenage autistic girl named Aliza who is visited by an unexpected guest from another planet. The idea of the show and the theme song was created by actor Natalie Kaiser, a participant on the autism spectrum in Actionplay’s AIMS program. The story and songs were devised by the group and reflect many themes the group deals with on a daily basis including feeling different. Read our write up in Broadway World
Welcome to My World (Available on Apple Music, Spotify & More )
ACTIONPLAY'S ACHIEVEMENTS
Here you can review some statistics about Actionplay’s programs and outreach.
People Performed For
Professionals Trained in Actionplay's Inclusive Model
Directly Served Individuals on The Autism Spectrum
Actionplay participant Conor Tague is playing “Cody Hill” on Law and Order SVU
Actionplay participant Conor Tague is playing “Cody Hill” on Law and Order SVU on NBC, This Wednesday 1/10 at 9:00pm. The name of the episode of “Pathological” Actionplay received and put forth Conor for the audition request, and he won the part. Actionplay will be teaching auditoning technique via our Audition Workshop!
Actionplay Chorus Performs Original “Colossus” w/ Greenwich Village Orchestra
The Actionplay Chorus performed at The Greenwich Village Orchestra’s annual Holiday Concert for children: Together in Music. This is the choruses 3rd year of performing with the Orchestra, and they performed an original devised theatrical production of Peter and the Wolf, and their original song “Colossus” arranged for the orchestra by Gabriel Lit
The Actionplay Chorus on Night of Too Many Stars
The Actionplay Chorus received a standing ovation on HBO’s Night of Too Many Stars performing the song “Rise Up” with Cynthia Erivio and Jodi DiPiazza.
Actionplay Provides Staff Training for Careers in The Arts
Actionplay provides staff training for a group of young people on the autism spectrum to pursue career in the arts at Lincoln Center.
Sesame Street Asks Our Actors Questions
Sesame Street asks What do you want kids to know about autism? What makes you amazing? What is your favorite thing? What Do You Want Kids To Know About Autism?
We Don’t Want To Fit In – By The Actionplay Chorus
Made up of a group of young performers on the autism spectrum, and led by Music Therapist Gabriel Lit, the Actionplay Chorus performs their own original music in professional settings.
Creativity and Community among Autism-Spectrum Youth
Our Founder of Actionplay recently wrote a chapter about Actionplay and our inclusive AIMS program in the book Creativity and Community Among Autism Spectrum Youth. It features insights into Actionplay’s unique methodology and pedagogy, and the revolutionary practice of performing as an inclusive community.
Actionplay featured in American Theatre Article on Inclusive Theatre Practices.
How do we engage with community members who may not feel welcome at the theatre? How do we create work that’s relevant to them? How can we make a positive impact on their lives?
Dr. Stephen Shore
Author and Professor at Adelphi University
AIMS staff has a unique ability to connect with the kids and with their parents, to build relationships founded on trust and respect, and to help the kids give voice to what is inside their hearts and minds.
Stephanie
Parent
This has been a great experience for my son. He has really challenged himself and he is less shy and more willing to engage as a result. Thanks for everything
Diane
Volunteer
I’m not sure how I can adequately describe what a sense of accomplishment and gratitude I get after spending time in the environment you create every Sunday in the AIMS workshop.
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