Want to know how to have a low-waste lunch? Enjoy watching live theatrical acts and a little bit of freestyle dance? Then look no further than the Shoreline Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department’s free production of Shoreline Live! on June 5 at the Shoreline Center auditorium.
The third annual variety entertainment show begins at 7 p.m. and is part of the specialized recreation program organized by instructors, volunteers and class participants, most of whom have disabilities.
“It’s a celebration of what we can do instead of focusing on what we can’t do,” instructor and co-director of Shoreline Live! Jill Rogers said.
Rogers, who has instructed the Creative Art for Life class every Tuesday night since it began in 1999, said she was asked to start a drama program several years ago but the stage at the Richmond Highlands Recreation Center where the group practices wasn’t accessible. She solved the dilemma by renting the Shoreline Center auditorium, helping the show go on by selling soap and a variety of other things at intermission. Since then, the show has been an expected and anticipated hit.
“It’s going to be packed,” said Jeremy Wynne, 26, of Shoreline. “We want the world to see us.” Wynne, who has performed in previous years’ productions said he enjoys acting and is looking forward to this year’s choreographed dance routine.
Wynne’s mother, Maryn, has enjoyed watching from the audience in previous years.
“It was so good last year,” she said. “You’re laughing and crying all at the same time.”
This year’s production involves a cast of 30 people and features seven short films that participants have been working on since last September. Cast members with disabilities took active roles in preparing, writing and editing the show. The seven original short films will be shown in the first half, while the second half will feature live entertainment such as dancing and singing.
“People are able to be a part of it even if it’s someone running the lights,” Rogers said.
Almost 150 people participate in the various programs offered every week through the Creative Art for Life class and Rogers believes the classes offer something for everyone.
Ben Westgate who has attended the art classes since the very first one, said the best part of the class is the dancing.
“Art class means a lot of fun, good friends, teachers and staff,” Westgate, 29, said.
When the show wraps for another year, Rogers said the group plans to send disks of the seven films to schools. The films will also be shown over cable channel 21 this summer.
“We have really knocked ourselves out making it professional,” Rogers said. “People don’t always realize what our group does. They’re always so surprised.”
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