LEFT: Jesters, founded in 1978 at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Ind., teaches drama to mildly and moderately mentally and physically disabled people. BELOW: The troupe gives participants the opportunity to develop creative expression and positive self-image.
Hal Gunderson, founder of the Jesters pro-
gram, once said: “We’ve noticed that some of the Jesters have improved their mobility skills and their memorization skills in addition to their im- proved sociability. They are part of a team. They know they belong.”
Coming to Texas For three years Sue Ringle, a member of
Highland Park UMC, watched her nephew per- form with the Fort Wayne troupe. Last spring, she decided Dallas needed a Jesters program and that Highland Park UMC was the place for it.
She teamed up with the church’s pastors and
special needs consultant, volunteers from the church and community and even the Shake- speare Festival of Dallas to make Jesters a reality in Texas. For six months the 30 member cast, ages 16
to 62, gathered at Highland Park UMC every Sat- urday to write an original musical play and re- hearse their creation. Performers traveled from surrounding cities—one coming from as far as
115 miles away—to participate. Some have per- formed in theatrical presentations before, but many are new to the stage. “It’s a great opportunity for people who have
never had a chance to shine to shine,” said Jo Beth Huff, whose 20-year-old son wrote and sang a solo in the Dallas production. John Huff has always been interested in act-
ing and songwriting but never had the formal platform to explore the arts. So when his coun- selor from the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services mentioned the launch of the Dallas Jesters program, he jumped at the opportunity to meet new people and showcase his talents. “It was cool when I got up and sang my songs
in front of everybody,” he said. “It’s just a really amazing feeling, and the applause is worth it all.”
Guiding themes In the first six weeks of brainstorming, the
cast developed two guiding themes—“we all must accept the hand we are dealt in life,” and “we are all the same on the inside.” These
themes were central to the plot, the song lyrics and the overall spirit of the program in which everyone plays a meaningful role. “There’s a lot of emphasis on process versus
the product,” says Allison Ballard, director of the Fort Wayne Jesters program. All the Jesters are included in the creating and planning process, and even the softest voices are heard. “Sometimes all the feedback we get from an
actor is a wide smile,” said Ms. Ringle. “But those are golden.” The Dallas-area Jesters pitched in their ideas
and talents, compiling their love of comedy, dancing, singing, guitar playing and athletics into their original musical play, Dave’s Circle of Friends. Not only does Jesters build community, it also encourages and empowers each partici- pant, regardless of their skill level or the chal- lenges they face, says Ms. Ringle. “We have actors who haven’t spoken a word
since we met them in September,” she said. “But they seem perfectly happy with what they can do. “It’s a testament to parents and caregivers that our Jesters participants are so well adjusted.
It is obvious an effort has been made to help them make the most of what they can do and not be frustrated by what they can’t.” After six months of hard work, the Dallas
Jesters took to the stage Feb. 12-13 to wow a packed house of about 1,000 people in Highland Park UMC’s Wesley Hall. “I’m pretty sure John Wesley would like
what’s been going on in here since September,” said Ms. Ringle as she welcomed the audience. Jesters wasn’t created as a ministry, said Ms.
Ballard, but church leaders and program leaders at Highland Park UMC believe the Jesters pro- gram helps open doors and offers a space where all people can be loved as children of God. “They may have never been the academic
stars or stars on the football, baseball or soccer field, but [here] they are our stars,” said Ms. Ringle. To learn more about Jesters at Highland Park
United Methodist Church, visit
www.hpumc.org/jesters.
mmccall@umr.org
COURTESY PHOTOS BY KEITH PEELER
ABOVE: The musical play, Dave’s Circle of Friends, mixes fantasy with reality, and humor with a message of friendship. RIGHT: Raphael Parry and the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas helped outfit the Jesters in costumes and microphones.
UNITED MET HODI S T REPORTER | AP RIL 1, 2011 | 5B
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