Fredericksburg, Virginia—This year marks the fifth year STEP VA Inc. has offered the Spring Musical Experience. The first year, 2021, featured an in-house production written by long-time STEP VA participant, Noah Finch. At the request of those cast members involved in “A Special Covid-19,” what leadership thought was going to be a one-off event turned into a yearly event. In 2022, the organization staged its first licensed musical, Disney's “The Lion King, Kids!”
Since then, STEP VA, the local 501(c)3 non-profit that empowers people with disabilities and their families through creative expression and sensory exploration, has hosted a Spring Musical Experience for participants ages 10 and up. The licensed musicals have either been shorter versions (Kids and Junior shows), or generally shows with a shorter run-time, such as 2023's “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
Still, a 60-minute show—comprising weekly, two-hour rehearsals for 15 weeks—can be a lot for some young actors (and even for some older STEP VA actors), especially if they haven't participated in the summer camp experience STEP VA offers. To help those younger and/or less experienced participants who are interested in being in the Spring Musical Experience but aren't quite ready for the full show, STEP VA leadership launched the Pre-Musical Class.
Led by STEP VA co-founder Katie Brown, an occupational and feeding therapist, the pre-musical class lasts for six week during the same time as the Spring Musical Experience rehearsals. The classes are designed for participants who are 7 to 12 years of age and who have not yet participated in either a STEP VA Spring Musical or summer camp session, or are not quite ready for the more intensive experience that comes with being in the musical cast.
This year's class had six participants. Two of them were participating for the first time: Audrey and Jackson, while Hannah and Jace were participating for the second time. Vanessa and Nasia both enjoyed the extra support of the pre-musical class this year and are still joining the main cast as fish friends. It's a transition year for Vanessa, who also participated in the class last year.
Brown says the class mirror the summer camp experience, focusing on a variety of areas, such as music, dance, art, sensory, and social skills. The activities relate to the theme of the musical and incorporate elements of emotion work, using their imagination, and storytelling. At the end of the six weeks, the students put on a small showcase for their families/caregivers. In doing so, they perform a few songs and dances they have practiced along the way.
This year's class performed “Big Blue World” at their showcase on February 28, followed by an adaptive dance to Bobby Darrin's “Beyond the Sea.”
“The pre-musical class is a great opportunity for new participants to get a taste for what STEP VA is all about and can help them develop the skills to participate in one of our summer camps or a spring musical in the future,” added Brown.
STEP VA's version of Disney's “Finding Nemo, Jr.” will be on stage at Courtland High School, April 12 & 13, 2025, with American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation available for audience members at the show on Saturday, April 12 (6 p.m.). Tickets are $15 (kids under five are free) and are on sale now. CLICK HERE to purchase.
For more information or to donate to STEP VA, visit www.stepva.org.
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STEP VA, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides sensory-based theater and arts programs for individuals with disabilities. Its vision is to transform the world by offering each individual the opportunity to flourish in the community.