It’s been more than 20 years since speech and language specialist Laurie Ryan took one of her nonverbal students who scarcely said “hi” or “bye” and signed him up to sing and dance in a talent show. It was a colossal risk and she was pushing her profession into uncharted waters — but that gamble has since paid dividends to the hundreds of students who have followed.

Ryan currently heads the Extraordinary Players after-school program at Newland Elementary in Avery County, NC. The program merges special needs, typically developing and gifted students in theatrical productions. Extraordinary Players has garnered statewide recognition and has students lining up 75 deep to tryout for the next production.

The Extraordinary Players provides a medium in which to engage special needs, typically developing, and gifted students in meaningful collaboration. Their theatrical performances afford all participants a meaningful reason to communicate, an opportunity to form relationships, and a chance to produce a valued product.

Below:
♦Keith Eades interviews Laurie Ryan and Justin Carver about Extraordinary Players & the 2010 production of Cinder 5
♦Mountain Television Network