(above, l-r) “Hairspray, Jr.” performers Taylor LaFalce, Kim Barry and Faith Greene pose with their director, Marguerite Modero, before the opening performance.
Very Special “Hairspray, Jr.” Thrills Hundreds
Submitted by Christopher Reardon
Hundreds of theatergoers were moved by a very special production of “Hairspray, Jr.” performed by the CAU Community Players, a troupe of actors both with and without developmental disabilities. The troupe recently staged three productions of the popular musical at the Rahway High School Center for Performing Arts.
Formed in 2012, the CAU Community Players empowers people with disabilities to engage in the pleasures of acting, singing and dancing side-by-side with people from the wider community and to be judged for their talents rather than disabilities. The productions also allow individuals without disabilities to interact with those with disabilities and build bonds.
Based on the audience’s rapt attention during the three performances and their standing ovations at the end of each, the troupe achieved their goal of staging a quality production that brought joy to both performers and attendees.
The CAU Community Players is sponsored by Community Access Unlimited (CAU), a Union County-based, statewide nonprofit that strives to integrate people with disabilities and at-risk youth into the general community through comprehensive supports.
Each year the troupe selects a play that is representative of CAU’s advocacy message of inclusion, acceptance and believing in oneself, as well as everyone’s worth regardless of ability, according to Marguerite Modero, the group’s director. They also select a play that allows for a large cast, as no one is turned away from performing.
Kim Barry, 32, has been a member of CAU for five years and has performed in the annual production each year, playing the lead in “Seussical, Jr.” in her first.
“I really love it,” she said of performing. “I like every aspect of it. I was nervous the very first time I was on stage but now I’m really just excited.”
Barry said performing in the musicals has given her more confidence.
“Now I like to meet new and interesting people,” she said.
One of the new people Barry met was Taylor LaFalce, 20, a senior at Rahway high who is deaf. LaFalce performed in her high school play this year and decided to join the CAU Community Players and perform with them, as well.
“I like meeting new people,” she said. “And this is better than being in my high school play. When I was a freshman they told me I could be in the play because I was deaf.”
LaFalce said she really enjoyed meeting the CAU members with disabilities.
“They’re friendly, nice and kind,” she said.
Faith Greene, 18, is a member of CAU’s Transitional opportunities Program for at-risk youth who decided she wanted to try acting and joined the CAU Community Players for the first time this year.
“I wanted to meet new people, try something new and broaden my horizon,” she said. “I want to see what I’m good at.”
Greene is entering Union County College this fall and planned to study biology but after her experience on stage she may change her focus to performing arts. Like LaFalce, Greene also enjoyed working with the CAU members with disabilities.
“It was good,” she said. “I didn’t have any expectations because I don’t judge people.”
Modero said the annual production is an emotional and unifying journey for the entire cast.
“We shared lots of experiences together,” she said. “We laughed together, we cried together and we worked together. This weekend we celebrated together.”
To learn more about CAU, visit caunj.org or follow CAU on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Community Access Unlimited
Community Access Unlimited (CAU), celebrating its 40th year in 2019, supports people with special needs in achieving real lives in the community. CAU provides support and gives voice to adults and youth who traditionally have little power in society. CAU helps people with housing, life skills, employment, money management, socialization and civic activities. CAU also supports opportunities for advocacy through training in assertiveness, decision-making and civil rights. CAU currently serves more than 5,000 individuals and families, with the number served growing each year. For more information about CAU and its services, contact us by phone at 908-354-3040, online at caunj.org or by mail at 80 West Grand Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202.
