Making something authentic
Creating characters like Marideth and Drew, who feel true to the autistic actors playing them and to the autistic members of the audience, has been at the forefront of librettist Melocik's mind.
"We really wanted to make sure that the show didn't veer towards being too saccharine or, you know, like, 'Oh, autism is my superpower!'" she said. "That's not the point of our show. It's about showing that, yes, there is struggle, but also there is community and also there is hope and there is joy. And honestly, there is autistic culture to learn about and to respect and to celebrate."
Pearce said it's not only the company of How to Dance in Ohio that celebrates its authenticity.
"Every night at the stage door, every time I go out there," he said, "I talk to so many young autistic people who are coming to see the show...who tell me, 'I have never seen myself represented on the stage the way I just was.'
He said he's excited for even more people to see this story and feel seen and celebrated.
