Building Connections

In 2014, social worker and improviser Lacy Shawn and The Hideout Theater's Children's Programs Coordinator, Jessica Arjet created an improv class for teenagers on the Asperger's spectrum called "Building Connections."

Many of the skills involved in improv have a direct relation to many of the skills children and young adults on the autism spectrum are in need of developing, and many parents have reported a multitude of positive effects from their child's involvement in the program.

Building Connections is split into two age groups and features, in addition to Lead Teacher Lacy Shawn, a large number of co-teachers from all across the AIC. Jessica Arjet, Luke Wallens, Valerie Ward, Sam Schak, Zac Carr, Joy Parks, Lorie Hobbie, and Mason Pitluk have all served as co-teachers for the program. At the end of each semester, the students of each class put on a showcase for friends and family and anyone else interested in being a part of the audience. Objectively speaking, these showcases have been an absolute blast.

In June 2014, a handful of students from the Building Connections program took part in hour 17 of the 46 Hour Improv Marathon. In the 9AM Saturday morning slot, the kids provided the marathoners with a much needed pick me up and bundles of positive energy. All kids and marathoners involved absolutely killed it. Again, objectively speaking.

For more information on Building Connections, check out the page on the Hideout website: http://www.hideouttheatre.com/improv-for-kids/building-connections