Unified Theater Holds 'Spotlight Celebration' Fundraiser

Even the weather cooperated on Saturday evening as an enthusiastic crowd gathered at the Stoner Drive home of David and Tammy Wood for Unified Theater’s fundraiser. People of all ages turned out to support the Unified Theater, and to honor two people who have given their time and energy to the organization.

Now Unified Theater’s Executive Director, Micaela Connery initially founded the program in 2002 as a sophomore at . Her goal was to provide greater opportunities to integrate students with disabilities with students without disabilities. Connery was inspired by her cousin Kelsey O'Connor, who has a disability. 

Before the awards ceremony, Connery reflected on what the evening’s fundraiser meant to her. “It’s so great tonight because we get to be in this setting where we’re all together – our student leaders, our donors and our board. There are so many little cogs in the machine that make Unified Theatre run, and it’s so much fun to let them all be together and meet each other for the first time. This is an organization that celebrates people at all levels whether they are students or adults, whether they have abilities or disabilities, and it’s just great for us all to be celebrating that together.“

State Senator Beth Bye was awarded the Community Spotlight Award for her help as a liaison between Unified Theater and the State Department of Education. She has served as Vice Chair of the West Hartford Board of Education, and as a director of Trinity College Community Child Care and the at Saint Joseph College.

Bye thanked those in attendance and praised Unified Theater’s contribution to the community and to young people.

“As you know, Unified Theater sells itself. Those of us who have been involved in education and are working with children with special needs are always searching for ways where children will be truly integrated, not helpers, but truly a part of things. Unified Theater brings that to fruition. There is probably no organization I would rather get an award from but the award really goes to the organization.”

Also honored was former Conard student Jeff Gilberto, who became involved with Unified Theater while a high school student. Since then he has gone on to major in special education at college and still directs and produces the summer Unified Theater production at the .

Unified Theater Board Chair Tom Fiorentino, who has a son with special needs, commented on what the organization has meant to his family over the years. “It’s the single most important inclusion activity that our son has ever been a part of in the system. In a short period of time, the eight weeks or so they do rehearsals and have their show, our son Dan is exposed to more ‘regular ed.’ students than at any other time of the year.  And I think it makes him feel for the first time more ‘part’ of a larger West Hartford community. To me, that is invaluable.”

In the nine years since it started, Unified Theater has expanded to programs in 27 middle and high schools throughout the country. Under the direction of student leaders, new programs are developing in Connecticut and across the country. Over 30 schools across 20 states have asked for support in starting new Unified Theater groups.