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The Jellybean Conspiracy Project is intended to create partnerships with high school, theatre and special education departments to produce The Jellybean Conspiracy play. The play helps students in schools develop an appreciation for all people, especially those with disabilities. Through theatre, dance, music, and visual art, it helps participants and their audiences recognize the gifts that all of us bring to this world. The Jellybean Conspiracy play, which tells the story of a teenage girl and her relationship with her brother who has Down Syndrome, will be produced by a local high school. The cast includes performers from the high school’s theatre program and special education classes. Middle school students from the district will be invited to see matinees, and members of the surrounding communities will be encouraged to attend public performances in the evenings.

Accessible Arts, Inc. provides the educational component for the project. Martin English (Accessible Arts Executive Director) and Barry Bernstein (Music Therapist & Performer) conduct interactive music and movement workshops with the middle school students who have attended The Jellybean Conspiracy play. A family workshop is also provided for the community. These workshops are free of charge and are an integral part of the Jellybean Conspiracy project.

Rhythm Weaving—Threads of Diversity is a companion workshop for The Jellybean Conspiracy for middle school students. Diversity and disability themes come alive as Bongo Barry and Cowbell Martin engage the students in this interactive rhythm, music and movement workshop. Using theme-based phrases, students chant, use body percussion, explore movement and play hand percussion instruments.

Accelerated Learning Theory states that information connected to movement and rhythm has a greater chance of being assimilated. The process begins on a very literal base using language to express the message. By the end, students are expressing the message non-verbally using musical instruments and the rhythms they have created to express feelings from a less literal, more creative level.

Families with a Beat, features drumming, dancing, and singing. This highly interactive workshop is designed for parents and young children in the school district, giving them the opportunity to explore diversity issues in a non-threatening community setting.

The workshops focus on themes including diversity, tolerance, and respect. They also demonstrate music and movement as sources of creative expression and help participants develop positive attitudes towards people with developmental disabilities.

For additional information about arranging for these programs, contact Accessible Arts at 913/281-1133 or accarts@accessiblearts.org