Accessible Stages Collaborative
The Royal River Community Players are excited to present the Accessible Stages Collaborative, offering two free online workshops for theater groups. Discover how inclusive theater can thrive in these free workshops that empower Maine's theaters to create productions where everyone, with or without disabilities, can shine on stage!
Monday, September 15th at 7:00 pm
Pathways to Inclusion: Integrating Accessibility and Inclusive Practices into Theater Programming
At the Accessible Stages Collaborative, we believe our stages should reflect the society we aspire to build—one grounded in equity, inclusion, and access for all. Are we fostering true social diversity in our theater spaces? Do our missions align with our daily practices? Are our performances and processes accessible to performers of all abilities? And just as importantly, are we—whether as theaters, directors, lighting designers, or other collaborators—prepared to provide the accommodations that individuals need to fully participate? Above all, how do we cultivate a creative environment where every cast member can thrive with confidence? These questions and more will guide our webinar as we explore practical ways to build accessible and inclusive productions.
Monday, September 29th at 7:00 pm
Accessible Stage Productions: Building the Unified Experience
Have you heard the buzz about unified theater and felt curious about getting involved? Unified theater, which we’ll refer to as “Accessible Stages,” is an inclusive model where performers of all abilities and experience levels come together as one unified cast to rehearse and perform. In this webinar, our goal is to transform any uncertainty or hesitation you may have about launching an Accessible Stages production into a sense of clarity and confidence. What kind of training does your production team need? How can you adapt your operations to meet the unique needs of an inclusive cast? And most importantly, how do you create an environment where all cast members can thrive—supported, successful, and creative? We’ll explore these questions and more during our 90-minute session.
Presented By
The Accessible Stages Collaborative brings together theater professional David Sheehy, occupational therapist Jessica Walton, and Michaela Knox, Executive Director of Spark Inclusive Arts.
David Sheehy
David Sheehy has spent the past decade creating theater across Maine and New Hampshire, working as a director, music director, performer, and business leader. In 2023, he directed what he believes to be the first unified theater production at a community theater in Maine—though he hopes he’s wrong—at Lyric Music Theater, where he has served as both Performance Operations Director and, more recently, Facilities Director. Since then, he has brought accessible theater to Gorham Arts Alliance and Royal River Community Players, helping to build a growing community of participants passionate about inclusive performance. He is currently music directing and co-producing RRCP’s unified production of Footloose: Youth Edition.
David holds a B.A. in Mathematical Science and Education, as well as an MBA from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, where he works as a Learning Designer, developing curriculum for SJC Online. He also designs and teaches math courses for Cambridge College of Healthcare and Technology, based in Georgia.
Through his teaching career and his longstanding involvement with Camp Fatima’s Special Needs Week in New Hampshire, David has cultivated a deep commitment to serving individuals with disabilities. He is mindful of the many privileges he has received—both in the theater and beyond—and is dedicated to creating spaces where those opportunities are extended to everyone. His work in accessible and unified theater reflects his belief that the arts can and should be a space for all people to thrive, create, and belong.
Michaela Knox
Michaela Knox is a Maine-based performer, choreographer, and teacher. She is the founding artistic director of Spark Inclusive Arts, www.sparkinclusivearts.org and a Master Trainer of the DanceAbility method. She holds a B.A. in Theater and Dance and an M Ed. in Educational Leadership. She was a company member of 20 moons Dance Theatre from 2014-2018.
Over the last two decades Knox has taught thousands of students with and without disabilities. She has trained over 200 performing arts teachers in disability inclusion practices.
Knox is passionate about supporting others in the discovery and research of their self-expression. She considers it her life’s work to help dissolve barriers between people with and without disabilities with the hope of creating a more inclusive society for all people.
Jessica Walton
Jessica Walton, MS, OTR/L, serves as an Associate Clinical Professor, Assistant Program Director, and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of New England (UNE), where she has been a faculty member since 2019. In these roles, she is responsible for coordinating clinical placements, mentoring students, and contributing to curriculum development with a focus on experiential and inclusive learning.
Jessica brings extensive clinical experience from her work with Northern Light Home Health and Maine Medical Center, where she provided occupational therapy services across a range of settings and populations. Her professional interests center on accessibility, community engagement, and the intersection of health and the arts.
Though not a performer herself, she is deeply engaged in the theater community through her family’s involvement and has developed a personal and professional commitment to fostering inclusive arts education. She is excited to be participating in the Accessible Stages Project and looks forward to supporting theaters throughout the state in advancing inclusion in community theater settings.
The Accessible Stages Collaborative is generously supported by the Onion Foundation.
Community Partners and Special Thanks
Spark Inclusive Arts
Choices Are For Everyone Inc.
STRIVE
Lyric Music Theater
Gorham Arts Alliance
Sue Finch
Sarah Kennedy
Jericah Potvin
Michael Donovan
Anna Halloran
Bob Gauthier
Bridget Parker and Meghan Casey
Paula and Noel Thompson
Jessica and Carter Creedon
Peg and Jack Prato
Nancy McAllister
Olivia and John Tabb
Wendee, Everett and Todd Devenish
Jack, John, and Cate Parker
Addison and Nadine Seguin
The full cast and production team of our Unified Production of Footloose The Musical: Youth Edition
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Addison and Nadine Seguin
