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Media

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Presentation Type

Open Access Video

Keywords

Autistic people in the performing arts--Iowa;

Project Summary

People on the Autism Spectrum are our brothers, fathers, sisters, and mothers. Recently integrated into the public sphere, persons on the spectrum present us with a new and broader understanding of what is ‘normal’ or typical. Uncommon Sense is a project rooted in Iowa, about Iowa families, and communities affected by life on the spectrum. In preparation for a national tour, Uncommon Sense premiered January 21, 2017 at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa. This collaboration of almost five years was commissioned by Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, University of Northern Iowa, and originally developed and co-produced by Tectonic Theater Project, New York, NY, and Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. Under the artistic direction of Moisés Kaufman, recipient of the 2015 National Medal of Arts and co-founder of Tectonic Theater Project, Uncommon Sense introduces patrons to unique members of our Iowa family and does so with a sense of humor, love, and understanding. Countless hours were spent interviewing citizens of the Hawkeye State for the development of the production. As a result, many of the characters and their stories are composites of various Iowan experiences. Masterfully written and directed by Andy Paris and Anushka Paris Carter to promote compassion and acceptance, audience members can look forward to observing familiar environments as the cast invites them down the aisles of Hy-Vee and straight into their hearts. From conception to final product, Uncommon Sense has been a transformative process for a multitude of people and communities. At an academic level, the partnership between the University of Northern Iowa Theatre Department and Tectonic Theater Project was critical. The intensive devising workshops that resulted from this collaboration strengthened the education of students by providing them with an interactive learning opportunity. Moreover, learning alongside instructors from a company dedicated to social justice narratives significantly enhanced students' appreciation and understanding of purposeful art. Uncommon Sense is particularly valuable for its capacity to affect a vast audience. While the piece is devoted to elevating public awareness of neurodiversity through storytelling and creating a space dedicated to enhancing solidarity within the community, those with little to no familiarity with autism are invited to explore various storylines. With actors both on and off the spectrum, this play welcomes the world into Iowa's living rooms, showcasing the intimacy of Midwestern values, and casting a spotlight on the lives of individuals that too often find themselves nearly invisible in the arts.

Start Date

19-4-2018 9:00 AM

End Date

19-4-2018 10:30 AM

Event Host

UNI Office of Undergraduate Studies

Department/Center/Organization

Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center

Comments

Click image to view film (no sound):

Gallagher Bluedorn and the Tectonic Theater Project's relationship dates back to 2002 with the award winning presentation of The Laramie Project by Theatre UNI. Eight years later, Gallagher Bluedorn was happy to have Tectonic Theater Project back again, this time with it's production of The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later. It was during the months that followed this visit that the two entities decided to join forces to explore the world of autism, thus beginning Gallagher Bluedorn's commissioning of Uncommon Sense.

Uncommon Sense premiered at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in January of 2017. The production continues to tour around the United States and in New York City.

https://uncommon-sense.uni.edu/

File Format

video/mp4

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Additional Files

Uncommon Sense Mailer Print.pdf (264 kB)
Marketing piece

Audience Feedback.pdf (265 kB)

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Apr 19th, 9:00 AM Apr 19th, 10:30 AM

Uncommon Sense

People on the Autism Spectrum are our brothers, fathers, sisters, and mothers. Recently integrated into the public sphere, persons on the spectrum present us with a new and broader understanding of what is ‘normal’ or typical. Uncommon Sense is a project rooted in Iowa, about Iowa families, and communities affected by life on the spectrum. In preparation for a national tour, Uncommon Sense premiered January 21, 2017 at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa. This collaboration of almost five years was commissioned by Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, University of Northern Iowa, and originally developed and co-produced by Tectonic Theater Project, New York, NY, and Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. Under the artistic direction of Moisés Kaufman, recipient of the 2015 National Medal of Arts and co-founder of Tectonic Theater Project, Uncommon Sense introduces patrons to unique members of our Iowa family and does so with a sense of humor, love, and understanding. Countless hours were spent interviewing citizens of the Hawkeye State for the development of the production. As a result, many of the characters and their stories are composites of various Iowan experiences. Masterfully written and directed by Andy Paris and Anushka Paris Carter to promote compassion and acceptance, audience members can look forward to observing familiar environments as the cast invites them down the aisles of Hy-Vee and straight into their hearts. From conception to final product, Uncommon Sense has been a transformative process for a multitude of people and communities. At an academic level, the partnership between the University of Northern Iowa Theatre Department and Tectonic Theater Project was critical. The intensive devising workshops that resulted from this collaboration strengthened the education of students by providing them with an interactive learning opportunity. Moreover, learning alongside instructors from a company dedicated to social justice narratives significantly enhanced students' appreciation and understanding of purposeful art. Uncommon Sense is particularly valuable for its capacity to affect a vast audience. While the piece is devoted to elevating public awareness of neurodiversity through storytelling and creating a space dedicated to enhancing solidarity within the community, those with little to no familiarity with autism are invited to explore various storylines. With actors both on and off the spectrum, this play welcomes the world into Iowa's living rooms, showcasing the intimacy of Midwestern values, and casting a spotlight on the lives of individuals that too often find themselves nearly invisible in the arts.