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Theatre Terrific finds a way to give everyone a voice By Jessica Barrett, Vancouver http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Disability+barrier+inclusive+Vancouver+choir/8632596/story.html Theatre Terrific All Inclusive Choir is a multi-ability choir including folks with severe physical and developmental disabilities as well as "normal" people without any diagnoses. “Let’s start with some Arcade Fire.” James Coomber hurries over to his MP3 player and hits play and the room, a small gym in an East Vancouver church, practically explodes. The 13 members of Theatre Terrific’s all-inclusive choir erupt into song, their bodies unable to contain the enthusiasm as they attack the robust oohs and aahs of the opening chorus. Coomber stands in front, coaxing out the sound and reflecting the energy right back. This is no ordinary choir. Formed two years ago as part of Theatre Terrific’s mandate to provide inclusive arts education to adults with physical and mental disabilities, as well as anyone else interested in learning to sing, the choir includes a diverse membership. Four members sit in wheelchairs with various conditions such as muscular dystrophy or adrenoleukodystrophy, also known as locked-in body syndrome. Others have developmental challenges such as autism or Down syndrome, while others still have no diagnosed labels at all. “It’s a place where anyone from any background and any sort of various challenges that they have, they can come and sing,” explains Coomber, the choir’s musical director and executive director of Theatre Terrific. He keeps things musically inclusive as well, featuring pop songs and indie rock on the roster; and if you can’t read sheet music, or even hold it, that’s no problem either. “Even if maybe they’re non-verbal, they can come and sing and we can figure that out.” Theatre Terrific produces several inclusive theatre productions each year, ensuring people of all abilities have the chance to work with professional artists and perform for an audience. It also provides classes in movement and music, which gave rise to the choir. Since its inception, the choir has performed in various community settings, most recently Car Free Day on Main Street in Vancouver and tonight they will perform at the gala dinner for the International Association of Special Education, which is holding its biennial conference in Vancouver. For Greg Labine, who has been in the choir for about a year, learning to sing has brought him out of his shell and added another element to his artistic portfolio. A rapper who is part of Realwheels, another inclusive theatre company, Labine, who has muscular dystrophy, says inclusive performance troupes serve to increase visibility for people with disabilities and bolster inclusion off the stage. “It’s important because it gives people a voice,” he says. The professional training he provides to choir members gives them a chance strive for improvement and achieve goals, Coomber says, something that is not often expected of people with disabilities, particularly after they leave the school system and enter adulthood. “Too many people do get dropped off and don’t get these opportunities to work hard at something and to really develop something, develop community and learn other important skills that you can apply to any work space,” he says. That attitude drives Cynthia Stark “crazy.” The mother of 15-year-old choir member Kieran, who has autism, says her son’s singing has improved vastly since he joined the choir two months ago. “He’s actually learning to sing really well; I’ve really noticed a difference,” she says. “And their faces all light up together. It’s awesome.” Light up they do. As the music swells on Arcade Fire’s Wake Up, Kieran stands in the back of the group, his mess of blond curls bouncing to the beat as he punches the air for emphasis. Other members sway, twist and gesticulate in their own way as they belt out the lyrics. This is expression, pure and simple — something everyone should feel welcome to experience. For more information on Theatre Terrific, visit theatreterrific.ca. Jbarrett@vancouversun.com Twitter.com/vancityjess