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PHAME's life began in 1984 when founder
Carol Stady, then volunteering at a Special Olympics event, noticed some
kids on the sidelines and saw artists. Though these spectators enjoyed
watching the games, no doubt because it put their abilities on stage,
she wondered if they were not perhaps more artistic than athletic. "Why
not put them on an actual stage?"
Why not? A less determined person would have found many reasons. Singing,
dance and drama are not often taught in special-Ed programs; they demand
coordination, a good voice and memory, and even talented people fright
at being on stage. Life experiences aren't a challenged-person's strong
suit either: cheerleading, school dances, student government, drama, even
singing karaoke or nightclub dancing all frequent events that enhance a "normal" life - often
pass over this population, presumably for their own good. Yet Carol was
soon to find out that the most difficult thing about being a challenged
person, is to actually be challenged.
The challenge for Carol and her small troupe of performers became PHAME's
first stage performance, "The Nativity Story". The gutsy group
of kids rose to the occasion and shattered an age old stereotype that
artistic endeavors were beyond their scope. Later, one PHAME youngster
who previously would not speak, mustered up his first word, "star",
on stage. The audience, as well, learned that this community has a lot
to offer and teach us.
PHAME has gone on to perform full-length musicals such as Oklahoma,
My Fair Lady, Bye Bye Birdie and many more. They were even selected to
perform a scene from Rogers & Hammerstein's "Cinderella" in Brussels,
Belgium for the International Very Special Arts Festival. Then-Oregon
governor Barbara Roberts made them official state envoys for the occasion.
PHAME also created a concert choir that has performed at concerts and
hundreds of other functions, including one for President Clinton's Committee
on Employment for the Developmentally Disabled.
In 1992 the PHAME program took an important step and became an Academy
of Fine Arts, operating here in Portland. Up to 70 students per term
have attended courses in art, dance, choir, writing and drama. Future
programs may include play writing.
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