Join the MSU Friends of Theatre in collaboration with the MSU Dept of Theatre for a “BEHIND THE SCENES” class at East Lansing Hannah Community Center. Learn about the creation of theater for a neurodiverse audience from the creators of the children’s musical WHAT IF WILHELMINA
This Behind the Scenes class is composed of two discussion sessions and attendance at the play:
1st session: An open discussion of how the children’s book What if Wilhelmina by Joseph Belisle was adapted for children’s musical theater by Artistic Director of the MSU Sense-Ability Ensemble, Dionne O’Dell . Dionne will share the unique process and challenges of creating a joyful theatrical experience for a neurodiverse audience.
The Play: The class includes a ticket to What if Wilhelmina in the MSU Arena Theatre on the day and time of your choosing.
2nd session: After the play, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with faculty, students and puppets involved in the
production as they discuss their experiences in creating and performing What if Wilhelmina.
When: Thursday Mar 7, 3-5pm and Thursday Mar 21, 3-5pm
Where: Hannah Community Center, Prime Time Room 441
Cost: $40 (Prime Time members), $45 (non-members) – includes a digital copy of the script and a show ticket
Registration: To enroll call (517) 337-1113 by Feb 29th to secure a spot. Seating is limited.
Note on the Play
Based on a true story, What if Wilhelmina features the character of Faith, a seven-year-old girl who is full of dread and “what ifs” when her cat, Wilhelmina, goes missing. Faith learns about the futility of worry and develops coping skills through music, movement, and the assistance of her two dads and some friendly puppets.
The adaptation for the stage of the children’s book What if Wilhelmina is the newest project of the MSU Theatre Department’s Sense-Ability Ensemble. The Ensemble is a group of MSU Theatre students who create innovative, multi-sensory, interactive performances for audiences that are neurodiverse. The performers are trained to respond sensitively, tailoring sensory experiences to individual audience members, highlighting the power of diversity and ability, and striving to provide theatre access for all. As the Ensemble’s Artistic Director, Dionne O’Dell, has adapted this critically acclaimed children's book into a musical for children.
Meet our Guest Lecturer.
Dionne O’Dell is on the faculty of the Department of Theatre at Michigan State University, where she specializes in writing and directing plays for youth and community. Previously, Dionne was the Associate Director of Education at Lincoln Center Theater in New York City. Although primarily interested in writing plays with a social justice focus, in February 2010 her short film script, Dreadful Sorry (a ghost story), was awarded a $100,000 grant by the SC Film Commission and played to short film festivals around the US. A proud member of Actors Equity Association, Dionne has also worked as a performer in regional theater productions, industrial films, and television commercials. Currently Dionne is the Artistic Director of the MSU Sense-Ability Ensemble – a group of MSU Theatre students who create innovative, multi-sensory, interactive theatrical performances for audiences that are neurodiverse.
The Ensemble’s most recent production, What if Wilhelmina, will premiere at the MSU Arena Theater on March 8-17, 2024. [email protected]
This Behind the Scenes class is composed of two discussion sessions and attendance at the play:
1st session: An open discussion of how the children’s book What if Wilhelmina by Joseph Belisle was adapted for children’s musical theater by Artistic Director of the MSU Sense-Ability Ensemble, Dionne O’Dell . Dionne will share the unique process and challenges of creating a joyful theatrical experience for a neurodiverse audience.
The Play: The class includes a ticket to What if Wilhelmina in the MSU Arena Theatre on the day and time of your choosing.
2nd session: After the play, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with faculty, students and puppets involved in the
production as they discuss their experiences in creating and performing What if Wilhelmina.
When: Thursday Mar 7, 3-5pm and Thursday Mar 21, 3-5pm
Where: Hannah Community Center, Prime Time Room 441
Cost: $40 (Prime Time members), $45 (non-members) – includes a digital copy of the script and a show ticket
Registration: To enroll call (517) 337-1113 by Feb 29th to secure a spot. Seating is limited.
Note on the Play
Based on a true story, What if Wilhelmina features the character of Faith, a seven-year-old girl who is full of dread and “what ifs” when her cat, Wilhelmina, goes missing. Faith learns about the futility of worry and develops coping skills through music, movement, and the assistance of her two dads and some friendly puppets.
The adaptation for the stage of the children’s book What if Wilhelmina is the newest project of the MSU Theatre Department’s Sense-Ability Ensemble. The Ensemble is a group of MSU Theatre students who create innovative, multi-sensory, interactive performances for audiences that are neurodiverse. The performers are trained to respond sensitively, tailoring sensory experiences to individual audience members, highlighting the power of diversity and ability, and striving to provide theatre access for all. As the Ensemble’s Artistic Director, Dionne O’Dell, has adapted this critically acclaimed children's book into a musical for children.
Meet our Guest Lecturer.
Dionne O’Dell is on the faculty of the Department of Theatre at Michigan State University, where she specializes in writing and directing plays for youth and community. Previously, Dionne was the Associate Director of Education at Lincoln Center Theater in New York City. Although primarily interested in writing plays with a social justice focus, in February 2010 her short film script, Dreadful Sorry (a ghost story), was awarded a $100,000 grant by the SC Film Commission and played to short film festivals around the US. A proud member of Actors Equity Association, Dionne has also worked as a performer in regional theater productions, industrial films, and television commercials. Currently Dionne is the Artistic Director of the MSU Sense-Ability Ensemble – a group of MSU Theatre students who create innovative, multi-sensory, interactive theatrical performances for audiences that are neurodiverse.
The Ensemble’s most recent production, What if Wilhelmina, will premiere at the MSU Arena Theater on March 8-17, 2024. [email protected]
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