For theatre teaching artist and educators and those who work with special needs populations:
The Center for Applied Drama and Autism is offering teacher training sessions over the next year, taught by co-founders Laura Valendza and Wendy S Duke. The workshops will cover methods and techniques for working with youth and adults on the autism spectrum and other special needs populations. The workshops will take place at CADA’s studio located at 1501 S Hawkins Ave. Each 6-hour workshop focuses on a specific topic:
March 16, 2019: Physical acting for body language understanding and communication
June 22, 2019: Improv for Autism/Special Needs
Sept 7, 2019: Emotion games/exercises for self-advocacy and dealing with bullying
Workshops begin at 9 AM and end at 4 PM with a full hour lunch break between sessions. CADA students and volunteers will be on hand to assist with the training. Ample hand-outs will be available for participants to take home.
Cost of workshops: 6 hours @$150 each. Scholarships available for persons interested in joining CADA as teaching staff. Contact us at 234-678-7830 or by email at info@centerforada.org to enroll and/or for further information.
Laura Valendza is an intervention specialist and a professional actor. Wendy Duke is a drama and autism specialist who is program director for Theatre on the Spectrum, a day theatre program for adults with special needs. Duke and Valendza have presented drama and autism workshops at Milestones National Autism Conferences, Very Special Arts Intersections conferences, National Autism Society and Greater Akron Autism Society.