"A group of talented actors with disabilities who are here to entertain you."
Behind the Curtain…..
BFF’s for life
Many years ago, my dear friend Monica Venice shared her goal which was to be on stage. I took her to an audition at a local theatre. The part she was auditioning for was a disabled women who only said the word “No.” I thought this would be the perfect start for her acting debut. I was shocked that upon arrival I was asked to step outside by the director. “Why would you bring her here and put me in this position?” I was speechless. I was then asked to leave with Monica. This was the first time that I ever witnessed discrimination against someone with a disability. This began my goal to make Monica’s dream of being on stage a reality! A few years later it finally happened: Monica was cast in Gypsy. Shortly after that, she was cast in Willie Wonka. I was stage manager for Wonka and brought some of Monica’s fellow peers to see a dress rehearsal. They were in ahh and so proud of their friend. Then it started: “Carmen when are you going to get me on stage? Carmen I want to act too!” I realized it wasn’t only Monica’s dream but many others. I shared my story with a few of my fellow actor/ theatre friends, but got nowhere. Then one day my friend, David Work, contacted me. He asked me if I was still interested in starting an acting group with my friends who have disabilities. We talked and then a few months later Creative Chaos was born and I had actors with different abilities on stage fulfilling their dreams.