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Theatre in Motion
A Non-Traditional, Non-Profit Repertory Company with Multiple Programs, Serving Intergenerational Special Needs Populations
Programs are Live and Virtual.  These programs can be set up to meet your specific needs.
Fun for Everyone!
Fun for Everyone!
​Theatre in Motion is an award-winning, participatory, educational, non-profit theatre company.  It features intergenerational, multi-ethnic, creative and performing artists with and without disabilities, serving intergenerational Special Needs popluations.  Programs include original creative drama and music workshops, residencies, and performances, as well as online Professional Development.  Our programs are interactive and most (not all) are offered via Zoom or other digital platforms.  Everything is created to meet your specific needs, virtual or in-person.  Emotional Intelligence abounds! 

We serve New York, New Jersey, and Beyond!  

Please take a few minutes to scroll down and get to know us.

Program One: For all ages! Participatory, Creative Drama workshops that embrace Emotional Intelligence  (Although that link pertains to youth, Emotional Intelligence applies to everyone!)

​​​​​​​Theatre in Motion has created a new booklet entitled, "Nurturing Emotional Intelligence with Creative Drama, Acting, Improv, Music, and Visual Art via Live Classes and Zoom."  Please contact us to receive a free copy.  TSHIRL@aol.com​​​​​​​  (Cut and paste email address, if needed.)

Program Three: Original Award-Winning, Orchestral Music Videos that showcase performers with and without disabilities, as well as captivating original art.

  • These videos have been honored by VSA, a Program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and selected to be part of their International Digital Arts Festival, "40 Days Around the World," celebrating the 40th anniversary of VSA, founded by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith. This festival also celebrates the anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act.

  • Also, we have an educational component, customized for your group, to join in tandem with the videos, if desired. The imaginative music videos and informative presentation are about The Father of American Landscape Architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted, the story behind his success, and America's parks over the centuries.  For ages 12+

​The honored Theatre in Motion music videos are:

"Song of the Land" with American Sign Language  

"Back in 1873" with American Sign Language  

Other Theatre in Motion music videos, with captions, can be found at:
YouTube Leslie Fanelli
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The paintings below depict Frederick Law Olmsted in 1859, then much older in 1894. These and other original images are juxtaposed into the filmed footage of our prize-winning, music videos. Enjoy all of this enchanting visual art, which is fully featured on The Gallery Page.

Program Four:  Interactive Multiple Intelligences Workshops with a lively, instructive approach for educators, paraprofessionals, aides, therapists, administrators, parents, caregivers, student teachers, teaching artists, advocates, and all other interested organizations, inclusive of empowered people with disabilities.  

“I certainly believe that theater involves a multiplicity of intelligences ....”  Dr. Howard Gardner, Author of Frames of Mind:
The Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Program Five, Online: Professional Development for Special Needs Teachers, Parents, Administrators, and interested others

Online participants will acquire skills in conducting creative drama and music activities for students who have a wide range of disabilities as well as abilities.  When you employ these newly acquired skills, your students will gain much improved communication, self-esteem, cooperation, and a sense of fun.  Included are:

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

National Core Arts Standards​​​​​​​


Program Six: Published Music and Books:​​​​​​​ Theatre in Motion has recorded the musical soundtracks to two of its original shows, The Promise of Central Park (from which the aforementioned music videos originate), plus a completely different soundtrack, Disability Pride, which features original anthems of the Disability Rights Movement. Respectively, these soundtracks can be found at:
A review of Disability Pride: The Musical, by The Honourable Judith Heumann,
esteemed Disability Rights Activist:

"Beautiful music and history sung by disabled activists.  This will be a wonderful addition to the disability studies movement.  A great gift for anyone who likes good music." 

Leslie Fanelli Theatre in Motion Special Needs Professional Development Drama Music 24 Special Education

Pictured: (left to right) Leslie Fanelli, Activist Judith Heumann, and Dr. Sean Dineen, D.Litt.

We have also written a "How To" book about generating dynamic Arts-in-Education programs.
It is a multi-volume book, Playhouse Verse: Creative Drama, Poetry, and Universal Design for Learning.  Part I, which is the text overview that describes the pioneering theatre residencies, can be accessed by contacting Leslie Fanelli at tshirl@aol.com, or call 908-723-0564 (USA).  Below are Parts II and III.  They are WORD files of student poetry.
Theatre in Motion Leslie Fanelli Special Needs Professional Development Drama Music Special Education Special Needs Professional Development Drama Music Special Needs Professional Development Drama Music Special Education Universal Design Mulyiple Intel
Theatre in Motion Instructors--Poetry (as well as Drama and Music)!
Part II (A and B) and Part III are below, featuring original student poetry and art.
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File

Part II, A ... Poetry primarily by children

Download File
File

Part II, B ... Poetry by children and adults

Download File
File

Part III ... Exquisite in simplicity poetry by adults and children

Download File
In addition, please be sure to enjoy another book Disability Theatre from the InsideOut by Ruth Bieber with contributing author Leslie Fanelli.  Original scripts included!



In all we do, we celebrate The Arts and Disability. 
Nothing about us without us!
​​​​​​​Serving New York, New Jersey, and Beyond!
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