Actors with Downs Sydrome Bring Special Message to Westborough

On Saturday, Feb. 5, the Kaleidoscope Children’s Theater from Cranston, RI, will present The Frog Prince in the Westborough High School auditorium. The show begins at 2 p.m.

This theater production is a fundraiser to support SEPAC Westborough. SEPAC (Special Education Parents Advisory Council) is a group of family members of children with disabilities or special learning needs. Members educate each other, support each other, exchange ideas and information, and collaborate with school professionals and administrators. 

Jessica Fox, a member of SEPAC involved with bringing this special fundraiser to Westborough, said that the Westborough chapter began about ten years ago as a parents’ support group for children with disabilities. Fox said that SEPAC advises the Westborough school administration and School Committee on special education issues.

This is the fourth year that SEPAC has hosted the Children’s Kaleidoscope Theater. Earlier productions included Cinderella, Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, and Snow White.

The Children’s Kaleidoscope Theater, founded in 1977, incorporates actors and stagehands with disabilities into their shows. Each production contains important messages with the recurring theme that "we are all special."

Nicole Frechette, Administrative Director and Stage Manager for Children’s Kaleidoscope Theatre, said that the theatre company was chosen to represent the United States in 1989 at an International Down Syndrome Congress in Jerusalem, Israel. In addition, the company has toured from Maine to Texas.

Frechette said that the shows are lighthearted and family oriented and that in this particular show, two of the actors have Downs Syndrome.

Over 300 people are expected to attend Saturday’s performance. Tickets are $8 and available at the door. Refreshments are available. For more information, contact SEPAC or the Children's Kaleidoscope Theatre.