SEASPAR Showcases Talents Of People With Disabilities

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — The Theatre of Western Springs was bursting with applause Dec. 20 for SEASPAR’s 13th annual Holiday Spectacular, a showcase of talents by SEASPAR participants with disabilities. More than 100 performers took the stage in 15 performances, including participants in SEASPAR’s Voice and Music Lessons, Glee Club, Actors Guild, EAGLES adult day program, and Adapted Music Lessons, as well as independent performers.

Most of the performers were familiar with the stage, including 15-year-old Aidan Hincks of Western Springs, who opened the show by singing “Feliz Navidad.” Jackson Beatty of Brookfield danced to “You’ve Got A Friend In Me.” Becky Berman of Darien treated the audience with a vocal performance of “Home For the Holidays,” a drum solo rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock,” and accompanied the EAGLES and Glee Club in their sets.

“The Holiday Spectacular is important to me because SEASPAR is another home to me, a safe place where I can express myself,” said Bryal Peterson, a Glee Club and Actors Guide performer from Clarendon Hills. “(At SEASPAR) you always have a supporting hand that cares about you and will help you find your courage to try new things. And for me, it’s important and good to have
courage.”

You may view videos of the night’s performances on SEASPAR’s YouTube channel. SEASPAR stands for Southeast Association for Special Parks and Recreation. It serves people with disabilities in towns such as Clarendon Hills, Darien, La Grange, La Grange Park and Western Springs.