   |
"The Jellybean Conspiracy": Art in health care with attitude
It’s about inclusion. It’s also about attitude. For one Columbia teenager, it’s both. Andy Janssen has Down syndrome. But don’t think that means he sits on the sidelines. With his studies at Jefferson Junior High, Special Olympics athletic practices and miscellaneous duties for two Columbia retailers, Andy’s schedule is full. Now he’s adding “actor” to his list of activities, with a major role in the January production of “The Jellybean Conspiracy” by Columbia’s Performing Arts in Children’s Education (P.A.C.E.).
Andy records the voiceover for a dream sequence in The Jellybean Conspiracy as director Angela Howard listens. Photos courtesy of Louis Janssen.
Did Andy ever think he couldn’t do this? No way! “Not much is hard about it,” Andy says. “It takes a long time but I am not tired after rehearsal. It’s fun and I like the kids.”
“Jellybean” is P.A.C.E. Youth Theater’s 2009 Art in Health Care production and it’s all about the "differently-abled." Andy plays Tom, a boy with the same ups and downs with his peers and sister, but with a twist. He has Down syndrome. “The Jellybean Conspiracy” will be presented January 15-18 at Jesse Hall.
Students and many alumni in the School of Health Professions’ Department of Communication Science and Disorders know Andy. He’s been coming to the department’s speech clinic for a few years. In addition to working hard on his communication skills, he’s a goodwill ambassador for the program and even volunteers to truck Lewis Hall recycling bins to the curb. Andy’s positive attitude and will to succeed make him extra special.
An alumna from another SHP program, occupational therapist Trish Wallace, encouraged Andy to audition for the “The Jellybean Conspiracy.” Wallace coaches Andy’s Special Olympics basketball team. Her son, Tim, also has Down syndrome and is in the production.
Angela Howard is the director for “Jellybean.” She says everyone gains from having Andy and Tim in the cast. “The benefits are huge,” Howard says. “The other actors experience first-hand inclusion. My ‘differently-abled’ actors have attached themselves to these young people. They have become great role models not only for the cast, but for the community.”
Andy not only has a speaking role, he dances. He worked to learn his lines with clinicians at the speech and hearing clinic on the third floor of Lewis Hall. A choreographer helps with the dancing.
His mom, Janice Janssen, thinks he may want to audition for another play after this experience. “I have been amazed at this group of children,” Janssen says. “From the very first day of practice they were sure to include Andy and Tim in all the activities. I think it shows others that Andy can do things and do them very well. He has memorized his lines just like the other kids. I think the topics covered in the play address some issues and he is there in the middle of the play.”
Howard says “Jellybean” fits with the theatre’s history of not only entertaining, but educating. “Art in Health is geared specifically at targeting health and social issues that concern young people,” Howard says. “Last year it was cancer in children – an issue everyone knows about, but no one wants to discuss. This year it is about disabilities and inclusion and as much as we would all like to think that this generation has been educated about inclusion, that is not necessarily the case.”
Will Janice Janssen have to start moonlighting as an agent for her actor son? Could be. “I would like to be in another one next year,” Andy says of the play. “I have had Down syndrome since I was a little kid and it lets other kids see what it is like. They can see that I can do things just like them.” Indeed he can.
The Jellybean Conspiracy
Show Dates & Times
Page to Stage performances
- Jan. 15th, 10:00 am
& 1:00 pm - Jan. 16th, 10:00 am
Evening and matinee
- Jan. 16th and 17th,
7:00 pm - Jan. 18th at 2:00 pm
All shows in Jesse Hall Auditorium.
Ticket Information
Tickets available at the door: $10 Adults, $7.00 for students w/ID, $5.00 for children 12 and under. For more information: paceahoward@gmail.com
Andy Janssen as “Tom” sings “Old MacDonald” with his sister character in the Jellybean Conspiracy.
Andy works on his dance moves with the show’s choreographer.
Page last updated on: March 16, 2009
| Contact us | MU Alert | MU Disability Resources
Copyright © 2008, 2009 — Curators of the University of Missouri, an equal opportunity/ affirmative action institution. DMCA and other copyright information. All rights reserved.