Belonging: Taking Center Stage
Andy O’Rourke with All Abilities Productions
Recently, we had the opportunity to sit down with Andy O’Rourke, Founder, Executive Producer and Artistic Director of All Abilities Productions, to speak about his business, his focus on inclusive opportunities for everyone, and how a sense of belonging has shaped his life. All Abilities Productions is an “…all-inclusive community theater that accepts people from all walks of life regardless of disability, mental or physical, race, religion, sexual orientation, and age”.
Starting Out
Andy first realized his love for theater when he was in high school. He decided to be part of a musical, honestly thinking he would not like it. “I remember sitting in the auditorium and was thinking, wow, this is really good. Everyone took me under their wings, and I was “bit by the bug”. Their acceptance inspired me and helped me land where I am today.” On top of his work with All Abilities, Andy is currently enrolled at SUNY Empire where he is working toward a degree in theater.
The idea of All Abilities Productions came to Andy one evening when he couldn’t sleep. Since his first experience in high school with theater, he had been met with a lot of rejection as he continued to pursue his craft. “I was sick of being rejected [by community theaters] and I didn’t want that to happen to anyone else. I wanted an inclusive theater where there is room for everyone. So, we opened All Abilities.” The theater opened its doors in April 0f 2022 in Glens Falls, NY, with their first production of “Snoopy, The Musical” in 2024.
At the center of All Abilities is a sense of belonging. Everyone is treated equally and “no” is not in their vocabulary. Andy shares that he knew he and his team were succeeding when they performed ‘Snoopy, The Musical’. “An actor who is non-verbal and has an intellectual disability, played the part of Woodstock. I saw her cry at the end of the show because her role in the musical made her dream come true. Right then, we saw the success of the theater.”
The Impact of Inclusion
Andy knows that community theaters can be more inclusive and accepting. As the only theater of its kind in the area, he wants to challenge other theater groups to truly assess how welcoming they really are. He invites the opportunity to speak with other groups and offer tips and strategies to become more inclusive.
At All Abilities, “…we see the person for who they are and then build a role for them. We mold the character from the person and make them feel included”. He recounts working with a young man who overcame his anxiety and played the role of Linus in “Snoopy, The Musical”. “He leaned into getting out of his comfort zone, even taking piano lessons outside of the theater. Because we gave him this chance, he changed his life. He was so proud of himself and the work he did.”
A Sense of Belonging
Andy shares that, “All Abilities creates a sense of belonging. We bring different walks of life into a community. The audience is always shocked because we take this very seriously and preform at a high level”. All Abilities is committed to creating more opportunities to connect with the community. Through events and sharing performance pieces, the community has an opportunity to see what they do and how they can be involved. Andy also shares his own personal journey and the moments of connection and belonging that have shaped his life in his twenties. “I found a sense of belonging in 2023 when I met Billy Floyd with the Adirondack Thunder Ice Hockey Team. He came up to me in the stands and we took a picture together. We stayed connected through texting, hanging out, and then he joined the All Abilities Team. Today, we are friends and go on trips together. He includes me in everything, encourages me, and he doesn’t speak down to me. The greatest moment when I felt I belonged was when Billy invited me over to his house to hang out. I had never been invited over to a friend’s house. It felt like a dream”.
A Welcoming Community
“At All Abilities, we are a welcoming community that is open to every unique person. My biggest contribution to the community is helping people see that they have a place here.” Through events like their recent brunch for the Adirondack Thunder hockey players and transforming their space into a haunted house at Halloween, All Abilities opens their doors to the community. Today, you can even rent their building space for your own special event.
Andy hopes to continue to grow All Abilities’ impact in the community where they can work with more people and agencies as they create inclusive opportunities. His message to others who want to be more inclusive is to “Let people shine, be themselves, and don’t judge their abilities. Don’t put someone’s disability first; see them”.
A Place for You
Andy would like you to know that “You are accepted”. He invites community members to reach out to All Abilities for guidance for those trying to do something similar. He advises that your first step is creating an inviting atmosphere where you remain non-judgmental.
“My sense of belonging came to life in my twenties as I found ways to connect with others. I feel more freely as I share my love for my craft.” Andy invites the community to connect through volunteering, and participants to join All Abilities and find their own sense of belonging.