Applied Theatre Center expands autism expertise, merges with Autism Theatre Network
April 24, 2012
GREENVILLE, SC – April 24, 2012 – The Autism Theatre Network (ATN), founded by Andrew Nelson, has joined forces with The Applied Theatre Center (ATC) to continue and expand upon Nelson’s nationally recognized work with individuals on the autism spectrum. This merger will greatly increase the ATC’s efforts to provide theatrical training to autism services providers, with such training improving their work and therefore the lives of people on the spectrum.
“I am honored to continue working with Andrew and the Autism Theatre Network in this expanded capacity,” said ATC Executive Director Dale Savidge. “Theatre has proven to be an excellent tool for improving communication skills, encouraging social adaptability, and developing motor skills, among other needs autistics have, and Andrew is the perfect partner for the Applied Theatre Center’s continued efforts in this area.”
ATC staff members conduct a wide range of workshops, seminars and other customized activities with those whose lives have been touched by or touch upon autism, including individuals at all points on the autism spectrum, as well as family members, employers, counselors, caregivers and anyone interested in addressing the spectrum’s unique set of problems and potentials.
Nelson has been working with the ATC to encourage the use of theatrical techniques in addressing the challenges of autism and will also be leading the Theatre and Autism track at the ATC’s upcoming June conference.
“The autism workshops at the upcoming Applied Theatre Conference will help people with autism learn to recognize emotions, not just from facial expressions, but from the entire body language picture that we as individuals use,” said Andrew Nelson. “Last year’s conference was an amazing experience where so many people came together to develop our own threads of applied theatre and, ultimately, to help others with the techniques we gained.
Nelson is a Positive Behavior Support Trainer with the West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall University where he provides Family Focused Positive Behavior Support and training to parents, teachers, and professionals on a variety of autism-related topics. He is the author of Foundation Role Plays for Autism (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2010) and his work has been noted in American Theatre, The Autism File and Tathaastu: So Be It magazines.
Theatre practitioners, social workers, ministers, educators, CEOs, caregivers and others concerned with the welfare of people in underserved communities are invited to participate in
the upcoming highly dynamic and interactive ATC conference. For more information about registration, as well as sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, visit the Applied Theatre Center website at www.AppliedTheatreCenter.org.
About The Applied Theatre Center
The Applied Theatre Center is a Greenville, S.C.–based international organization that provides a bridge between theatre artists trained in a variety of applied theatre techniques and organizations offering programs that meet the needs of individuals and communities.
