As an inclusive theatre company, Allwayz On Stage provides individuals with diverse abilities the opportunity to actively participate and express themselves through the performing arts in a safe, supportive and nurturing environment.
Designed for ages 16 and up, “we deliver quality musical theater performances for teens and adults with disABILITIES, supported by mentors from various aspects of the entertainment industry,” says Producer and Director Laurie Johnson, founder of the California nonprofit 501(c)3. “In addition to performing, everyone involved learns important life skills—discipline, teamwork, commitment, kindness and compassion.”
Serving the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas, Allwayz On Stage offers year-round programs, with winter and fall workshop sessions and various variety performances throughout the year.
“In an ongoing movement to normalize differences, Allwayz On Stage also has a mentor in training program for ages 14 to 18 geared toward neurotypical teens who have an affinity towards helping others and a love of the performing arts,” Laurie explains.
Allwayz On Stage strives to include all who audition.
“It is the only company in town where the actors with disabilities ages 16 and up are the majority and have the opportunity to perform in any and all roles in a quality theatre production.”
The production value is top-notch—from sets to costumes, music and lighting.
“The productions highlight the importance of working as a team where everyone has their own unique roles and responsibilities, listen to direction, respect each other and their boundaries, and cheer each other on throughout the process,” Laurie notes.
This ties into their overall core values, which include the “perfect balance” of actors and mentors in a professional production; and actors receiving lessons from professionals in immersed master classes where all are treated as equals. Additionally, the actors teach and affect their mentors, because “the work is reciprocal and each learns from the other.” Also, they are “practicing being their best selves while focusing on the larger team effort.”
This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Allwayz On Stage. The idea for the nonprofit was inspired when Laurie’s daughter and some of her friends auditioned for productions, but were not cast.
“It lit a fire in me to get something started,” Laurie remembers. After doing years of community theatre, “I came to realize that some of our very talented cast members might never get cast in a lead role, supporting roles or even at all.”
She noted that neurotypical kids go from audition to audition, show after show, while kids who are neurodivergent—have special needs, disabilities or diverse abilities (the names change, but the needs do not)—may have to wait a full year or more before another opportunity opens up.
Due to this lack of opportunities in the community for her daughter, Laurie was inspired to create a program for individuals with disabilities who have a love of the performing and creative arts who needed an outlet for their talent to shine.
“I wanted to build a community for these individuals to flourish with their peers, shared interests and friendship,” she recalls. “This all started in 2007 with our first productions being in the backyard. I started a little backyard show with three teenage girls who loved to perform.”
Each year the number of cast members grew.
“With the help of family and friends, then came the mentors—and the crew, sound, lighting,” remembers Laurie. “When our audience grew to capacity in the backyard in 2014 we knew it was time for a change. We most certainly outgrew our backyard in 2015 with an audience of over 150 people!”
Her ultimate goal is to continue to build a sustainable community of like-minded individuals with a love for the arts—and establish friendships to last a lifetime—“so that they will never feel isolated or alone and continue to have their time to shine. Our goal is to create a national standard, a la Special Olympics for the theatre world.”
For more information, visit AllwayzOnStage.com.
“I wanted to build a community for these individuals to flourish with their peers, shared interests and friendship.”