In 1989, a group of former students of the Boettcher School for the Disabled in Denver, Colorado, became irritated with the lack of theatrical opportunities for those with disabilities and decided to do something about it. The five friends founded the Physically Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League (PHAMALY).
“They had done theater the whole time they were in school and just loved the arts, and then they got out of school and they weren’t being cast—there were just no opportunities open for them,” says PHAMALY Executive Director Melanie Mayner.
After receiving a small grant from the Colorado Council on the Arts, PHAMALY began working on its first play, and in 1990 the newly founded theatre troupe was christened, performing the musical Guys and Dolls.
Fast-forward 20 years and 22 plays later, and PHAMALY has become a prestigious theater company known for its theatrical prowess and commitment to providing artistic opportunities to actors with disabilities. The group now puts on two plays a year—one musical and one non-musical—and also performs at various social engagements and events.
Currently, the organization is run by a full-time staff of two employees—Executive Director Melanie Mayner and Administrative Director Regan Linton—but uses the services of independent contractors and myriad volunteers to ensure its success. Another key ingredient is PHAMALY’s talented actors.
PHAMALY continues to only cast actors with physical, developmental, or emotional disabilities in its plays, giving many of its cast members a chance at acting that they might not have otherwise had. According to Linton, the talent pool at PHAMLY “spans the gamut,” from first time actors to those with long histories of involvement in the arts.
Although PHAMALY may have an atypical cast, its actors still go through the rigors of professional auditioning—and not everyone makes the cut. “It’s challenging, because if you don’t step up, you’ll never get a role. But you’ll never leave thinking that your disability was what held you back,” says Linton, who stars in the company’s upcoming rendition of Sideshow that opens on June 5th.
PHAMALY’s productions continually leave theatre critics and patrons feeling liberated. Its performances have generated numerous laudatory reviews for their theatrical power—with many reviewers quick to point out that it’s the production value and not the actors’ disabilities that leave audiences mesmerized.
“Audiences will be focused on the actors’ talent, not their disabilities. I can’t emphasize the significance of this statement enough,” said North Denver Tribune writer Craig Williamson, in response to a PHAMALY show. Other viewers have described PHAMALY performances as “sheer unadulterated magic,” “powerful,” and “joyous.”
For the company’s staff, such lavish praise spreads optimism that actors with disabilities will soon be more welcomed in other entertainment realms. The organization now frequently receives casting call information from producers looking to cast characters with disabilities. “The industry is still changing more and more and I think that film and television are trying to seek authenticity when portraying characters with disabilities,” says Linton.
But for PHAMALY, the most important goal has always been creating a positive environment where those with disabilities can grow creatively. Through the years, the company has helped build confidence in many of its actors, and once individuals participate in the PHAMALY experience, they almost always continue to be a part of the group, which is a tight-knit one.
“Everyone’s extremely welcoming, and for many PHAMALY has made their world a much better place,” Mayner says.
“You know, it’s not just a P-family, but it’s an F-family as well,” she adds.
For more information about PHAMALY, visit http://phamaly.org.
No Comments
