The Young Company will present BYU's first sensory-friendly theatre performances before beginning their tour of local elementary schools
Kate Tullis as Lyf in the Young Company's production of "With Two Wings." (Rebekah Baker/BYU Photo)
The Department of Theatre and Media Arts'Young Company will open the 2019-2020 BYU theatre season with an imaginative and inclusive production of Anne Negri's "With Two Wings," which begins its campus run on Oct. 9.
The award-winning play — which is loosely based on the Greek myth of Daedalus and Icarus — follows Lyf, a flightless young girl in a fantasy world where people have wings. As she meets and interacts with a child outside of her family's isolated lifestyle, Lyf begins to question the strict rules of her parents, including their number one rule: never try to fly.
Though the play was written for young audiences, director Julia Ashworth feels that the script's exploration of deep and sometimes difficult topics — including disability and familial relationships — makes it important and useful viewing for all ages.
"The script is really sweet and beautiful," said Ashworth. "The first thing that stood out to me is how honest it is without talking down to young people at all. It is a coming-of-age story, but it's relatable for anyone of any age. I find myself learning things from this script all the time."
The Department of Theatre and Media Arts chose to put the show's messages of inclusion and acceptance of oneself and others into practice with BYU's first sensory-friendly theatre performances.
Read the full story at byuarts.com.