The arts are for everyone.
That’s the principle behind much of Broadway Centre for the Arts‘ work. It’s also the reason the youth theater organization created a nonprofit dedicated to accessibility. “Arts for All” lives up to its name in lots of ways, from sensory-friendly performances, to theater camps for students with disabilities, to providing ASL interpreting for their shows.
Changing attitudes and access here, in the world of children’s theater, can change attitudes and access in the wider world, said Amanda Rader, Executive Director of Arts For All.
“We are starting with children’s theater because it is a great place to help change patterns and thoughts that sometimes keep neurodiverse and differently abled individuals from attending and participating in the theater,” she explained.
“Our years working in the entertainment industry, and being special needs parents ourselves, have taught us that it is oftentimes difficult for adults with special needs to feel comfortable going to the theater due to deeply ingrained feelings of rejection or fear.”
People with physical, emotional and mental disabilities “have grown up in a world where the theater was not a ‘safe space’ or ‘welcoming environment’ for them,” she added. “These are hard feelings to overcome and oftentimes prevents them from ever being able to benefit from the social stimulation, community connection, and cultural enrichment that the theater offers.”
That’s where Arts For All comes in. They took up the challenge of making theater accessible and welcoming for both performers and audience members with diverse needs.
The program “is going to finish our first year strong,” Rader said. On October 25 and 26, they will present ASL-interpreted performances of Beetlejuice Jr. Then in November, they’ll have ASL-interpreted performances of A Year with Frog and Toad.
In addition, Rader said, “We are actively evaluating additional applications and expect to announce one to two more ‘Art Signs’ performances as well as one or two ‘Theater My Way’ Sensory-Friendly performances before the year wraps up.” Plans are also in the works for more accessible art camps in early 2026.
“Art Signs” productions educate local theater groups and schools about why it’s so important to provide ASL interpreting for Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. They help troupes produce ASL-interpreted shows. This effort includes partnering with the Knoxville Center for the Deaf, the First Horizon Foundation and the Tennessee Arts Commission. Past “Art Signs” performances have included Matilda, the Musical, Godspell and Disney’s Frozen JR.
Arts For All has developed a “Take the Stage” Assistance Grant to help local theater companies produce public performances, which can be costly. The “All the World’s a Stage” Program brings theater to under-served social groups with camps, workshops and performances. The program reaches out to rural schools, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The program also has invited people with special needs to a special “Theater My Way” day camp. Another is planned in early 2026. In addition, Arts for All is working on funding scholarships for students and educators to participate in classes and workshops.
Although the program is young, it is already having a big effect. “The feedback we’ve received from parents, educators and students has been tremendous,” Rader said.
“While we are still new, it is clear that this is a need that has the potential to truly make an impact in our community as a whole. At its core, the program creates spaces where children—and adults eventually—of all abilities can experience the joy of creativity, the confidence of performance, and the warmth of true connection with other artists.”
She recalled that one Special Education teacher shared some inspiring feedback about Arts for All. “Your shows are the only place we can bring our kids and know that they are welcome to be themselves and not have to worry about affecting others around us. We can breathe and just enjoy the show with them!”
Rader added, “That is the core of what we are trying to create.”
Often, the positive feedback is visible. Rader recalled, “One of the most profound outcomes has been the visible joy on the faces of neurodiverse campers as they performed on stage.”
The campers work with “peer buddies,” she explained. The peer buddies “not only assisted them, but also helped create an experience that made them know that they are a true member of the cast just like everyone else. It was magical.”
While performers and audience members with disabilities are the focus of Arts For All’s mission, they are not the only beneficiaries of this inspiring work.
“As the mom of a child with special needs,” Rader said, “the greatest gift is watching ‘typically developing’ children embrace their neurodiverse peers not just out of obligation, but out of genuine acceptance and friendship.”
While inclusion is an important objective, it is not truly the end goal of Arts For All. “It’s not just about providing inclusion,” Rader emphasized. Instead, “It’s about trying to reshape the way we define community starting with our kids.” Like the best inclusivity programs, Arts for All is truly for “All.”
Rader has many fond memories from her work, but some moments stand out more than others. She recalled, “I’ll never forget one of our younger students coming up to me after a show.” The youngster told her, “‘Miss Amanda, they aren’t that different. They love theater just like us!’ It was a simple statement, but it is a moment I’ll never forget. It was one of the reasons we decided that we need to create Arts for All.”
In addition to the upcoming Beetlejuice Jr. and A Year with Frog and Toad, you can see Broadway Center for the Arts’ “Spotlight Co.” perform in downtown Maryville on Sept. 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m. as part of the Third Thursday Art Walk. Later, the Junior Theater Festival Team is taking their production of Mean Girls to a competition in Atlanta in January.
Auditions for the final show of 2025, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, will be announced soon. Those performances will take place in early December.
To find out more about Arts and Arts for All, including opportunities to volunteer and donate, visit their website: www.artsforalltn.com.
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