A word of warning: Every autistic person is different from every other person in the world, autistic or not. It is a mistake to think that what applies to one autistic person will apply to another, and it is important to keep this in mind when reading material about autism, especially if you have a specific person in mind.
The Theatre
Drama has had a considerable influence on my life. What started off as singing lessons has blossomed into regular performing in musical theatre today. Drama lessons have helped me overcome some of the problems associated with my autism. I will share it here because it might be useful for others.
How I got started
I have always liked singing, for as long as I can remember. In March 1998 I decided to take singing lessons. Soon after I started, my teacher recommended that I take part in local singing contests, and in summer of that year, she invited me to take part in an operetta (La Vedova Allegra) in which she was one of the leading singers. My participation in this was very small. I was a member of the choir - our involvement was practically limited to the beginning and ending of each act, where we would sing our parts at the sides, then walk off while the rest of the operetta was performed. However the experience was indescribable. I felt that the reason I was on the stage while the audience was sitting in the auditorium was basically because I could do things that they could not. I felt privileged to be on the stage. I felt special because I was walking in through the stage entrance instead of the main door. And at the end of each performance, the applause as we took our bows felt tremendous. I clearly remember the last performance when, after the curtain closed, the entire cast just went wild with joy. Everybody was smiling and some were crying. Hugs and kisses all round! That night as I walked to my car I felt as if I was walking on air. I felt that there was not enough water in the world to dampen my spirits that day.
This experience was so great that I knew I had to do it again. It so happened that at about this time I bought the Cats™ video. I had heard some of the songs before, but I never imagined it was so beautiful. The colours, costumes, make up, singing, dancing - all blended together into a show so fascinating that I promptly fell in love. Much as I had enjoyed performing in the operetta, I decided to try a musical next. As luck would have it, some days later I saw a call for auditions in the newspaper for a musical, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". I bought the CD, prepared one of the songs from that musical and went for the audition. Some days later I received the letter telling me that I'd been chosen! "Joseph" was a different experience altogether. First of all, I was one of the 12 brothers so I was on stage almost all the time. Secondly, this show included some dancing. Not too difficult dancing I now realise, but at that time it was quite a challenge. Some of the other actors had dancing training, and others had been in several shows before. I decided that I wanted to be as good as they were. Although I had no solo singing parts, I wanted to show the directors that I was very dedicated and dependable, and I think it paid off in later occasions. That show was a great success. It was performed in Malta's largest theatre to a full auditorium every time. The best shows were those given to schoolkids. It is often said that you buy your ticket with money, but you buy the show with your enthusiasm, and it's true. The children were enjoying themselves so much and showed it at every moment!
It so happened that the person who built the set and helped backstage was involved in another musical, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". After "Joseph" he contacted me and said they needed more men for that musical, was I interested? Obviously I accepted. I was to be one of the suitors, as well as a lumberman. In this role I didn't spend much time on stage, but one of the scenes included a very difficult dance number (the social dance). It was a very fast moving dance which lasted almost 6 minutes, and was immediately followed by a staged fight, and all of this in very warm weather. Also in this musical I had a very good director who got us involved not so much in the performance, as in the story behind it. The study of our characters, the history of the time and place, and so on.
This was followed by a Christmas pantomime. This was different because it was comedy. Although most shows contain an element of comedy, in this case it was comedy right through, and for the first time, my part in it was also comical. Other than that it was fun and quite easy-going.
It was during this pantomime that I discovered I was autistic. In hindsight I'm glad that it wasn't a more difficult, involving show, since I immediately started doing a lot of research on the subject, which took up quite a lot of my time.
Soon after the panto I attended auditions for "Fiddler on the Roof" and have been cast, although I don't know yet which part I will have (rehearsals start today). This musical will be different in that it is the most 'serious' musical in which I performed. The story behind it is very strong and emotional, so this too will be a very new experience and challenge.
The Training
At the same time as I started rehearsing for the Christmas pantomime I started a course in musical performance - a course which includes dance, acting and singing tuition. As I learned more about my autism I realised that the drama lessons were helping me more than the teachers probably could imagine. One of the problems associated with autism is that I find it difficult to express emotions in a way others understand. Sometimes I might come across as cold and calculating, or a bit stiff and artificial.
The wonderful thing is that in drama lessons that is one of the things that one learns. Due to nervousness and stage fright, most newcomers to the stage are also stiff and artificial. They must learn to overcome these feelings in order to act more naturally. Thus, the drama teacher would explain about expressions and behaviour as a normal teaching subject. We would be asked to express a particular feeling while the others observed, and then sit down and take our turns at observing others. It was a situation where these things are scrutinised, where questions about them are encouraged. It was a place where if you do not express yourself correctly it is not unusual. It was precisely what I needed. Slowly I started learning. Actually, I started learning quite quickly. Maybe it was my willingness to learn; maybe it was my memory skills; maybe my observational skills, but I absorbed everything I could, and I noticed improvements even week by week, and everything I learned was useful in 'real life'. Perhaps the person who invented the term 'the world is a stage' was autistic too.
Finally, these musicals have brought me in touch with a number of other performers, all of whom are nice, interesting people. Socialising in the 'traditional' way is not much fun for me - parties, weddings and so on are not much fun. But with these people there is a common interest, a shared goal. We've been to wonderland together. Even in the cast party which is held after every performance, I can enjoy hilarious tales of some funny incident which happened during the show, join in an impromptu song from the score, discuss which are the next projects the director has in mind, and even some ordinary chatting. We talk about what could be better next year, how that girl ripped her costume only one hour before curtain up, whether we can add more dance numbers next time, and so on.
These regular drama lessons, coupled with performances in a show with a good director, have been very useful for me, besides being fun. If you like singing, or dancing, or acting, I do recommend that you go for it. In the worst case, you will just enjoy yourself. In the best case, you will learn skills that will be useful in all situations!
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