The School for Special Children is thrilled to announce that the Famous PEOPLE Players from Toronto will be coming to Ajijic on March 6 and 7.
Utilizing black light imagery, with life-size puppets, the show is an extraordinary combination of colors, music, choreography and movement, all performed by artists with developmental disabilities.
The School for Special Children board spent a year arranging to bring this famous group to lakeside. A special show for the school’s students and their families and staff is scheduled March 6. This is a chance to for them to see the marvel of what a person with developmental concerns can achieve.
Another afternoon show for students of various schools in and around Ajijic takes place March 7 and is almost sold out.
Tickets, 350 and 400 pesos, for the two evening performances at the Auditorio, March 6 and 7, are now on sale at the facility’s box office. All the net proceeds from the two performances will be donated to The School for Special Children.
Founded by Diane Dupuy in 1974, this non-profit theater company uses puppets guided by adults with different abilities. School was difficult for Dupuy growing up. To lift her spirits, her mother designed puppets for her to use in neighborhood shows. Before long, she was taking her presentations all across Canada. At one of these, held at a center for children with special needs, Dupuy was so moved by the positive attitudes she encountered there, she made a decision to do something for them. This led to her applying for and receiving at grant to start her company.
The Famous PEOPLE Players Company became so successful that it garnered the attention of Liberace, who brought the company to Las Vegas as his opening act.
The professionalism and enthusiasm of the company has brought opportunities to perform with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, in a CBC TV special, at Radio City Music Hall and on Broadway.
The Famous PEOPLE Players also took part in Canada’s sesquicentennial in 2017.
Says Diane Dupuy: “The most important lesson [I have learned] is never to doubt or underestimate anyone’s ability to change and make a difference in one’s life.”
She says the gratitude from the players is what makes the real difference. “They look forward to greeting the audiences. They can’t wait until the school kids arrive for the school show. You don’t have to be a genius. Our philosophy is that a grateful mind is a great mind.”
Not only will the cast have a wonderful experience in Mexico, but local children at lakeside will be treated to a very different theater experience. Also, it is hoped that the general community will be inspired to see the potential in all children and help to open new employment opportunities for people with different talents.