Broomfield High theater director wins state award for inclusive production

Amy Bounds, Daily Camera, Boulder, Colo.
·2 min read

Jun. 9—Broomfield High School's spring musical, "Chicago," included four students with Down syndrome through a partnership formed between theater director Jennifer Bryner and special education teacher Michelle Grayson-Feldman.

"It helps give kids confidence," she said. "Theater is a place where all kids feel accepted and loved."

Bryner recently won a regional musical theater award, "Special Achievement in Creating a Theatre Culture of Inclusivity," for the production.

"I didn't realize it was award worthy because I feel like everybody should be doing this," Bryner said. "It's something I've been passionate about for a very long time."

The state Bobby G Awards, which were held May 26 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver, also included an award for Frederick High School student Thomas Beeker. Beeker won "Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role" as Harold Hill in the school's production of "The Music Man."

Beeker, along with the winner of the lead actress award, will have the opportunity to represent Colorado in a weeklong series of workshops with industry professionals and rehearsals in preparation for a one-night awards program on Broadway in New York.

At Broomfield High, Bryner said, about 80 students were involved in the spring musical, including the cast, tech crew and pit musicians.

At Broomfield High for the past three years, she said, she's built a more inclusive theater program by working with Grayson-Feldman. Grayson-Feldman co-teaches a theater class that includes students in special education. Both adults and classmates also help support the students with special needs during theater rehearsals and performances.

"We all work together to make it happen," Bryner said. "The students (with special needs) learned all the dances and the songs, and they just brought such joy to the production."

Grayson-Feldman said her main role was helping communicate all the details to her students' families about practices and shows. She added her students were welcomed and supported just as much as any other theater student.

"A director who actively seeks out my students is such a gift," she said.

Theater experiences, she added, are especially valuable for improving social skills.

"Theater creates such a community and a family," she said. "My students are invited to the parties. They are hanging out in the hallways. In theater, it's 'You're one of us, we're all theater people.' "