In the Chicago suburbs, young adults with special needs say 'yes, and…' to improv

From the outside, on a cold January morning, the Bit Theatre in Aurora looks sterile. But inside, it’s warm, buzzing and full of families awaiting the start of an exclusive improv performance.

This show, a partnership between The Bit Theatre and Awesome Life Academy, is being staged for an audience of young adults with special needs.

“Sometimes, when you're in an audience and you bring somebody in, they might be too loud, or they might laugh inappropriately, or something like that,” Jennifer Monroy, an audience member and the mom of an Awesome Life participant, said. “Here, these guys can just be themselves, be silly, and feel relaxed and just have fun.”

Activities like the improv show are an opportunity for Awesome Life participants to get out of the house, be social and make friends. The organization, based in Naperville, is a nonprofit serving young people with Down Ayndrome, autism and other special needs, who have “aged out” of services from public schools. It also aims to provide participants with skills to help them find and maintain employment.

“Basically, it's all about activities which promote social interaction and life skills,” Monroy’s son, Clayton McGill, 28, said. McGill has been in the program for a little more than two years.

Monroy said their experience, “has been amazing.” In the time McGill has participated, his parents have noticed him building social skills and connecting with friends in spaces where they feel understood and respected.

Awesome Life founder Brandon Quaintance said these types of experiences are the driving force behind the organization.

“I always found that ‘aging out label’ very ironic,” he said. “These are 22-year-olds. They're in the prime time of their life. They're going to have 30-40 more years of quality living. But what's there for them? That's why I primarily focus on this age group.”

During the show, the improv performers encouraged the Awesome Life participants to shout suggestions for scenes. The youth kept the comedians on their toes with unexpected responses — even for improv — like shouting out “Nashville” as a favorite place in the world to vacation.

Some of the Bit Theatre ensemble members on stage, who volunteered their time, have special connections to the community. One of them, comedian Bill Weldon, has a son who has Down syndrome.

He has also taught improv classes for young adults with special needs. When he took the stage for this show, he was pleasantly surprised to see a few of his former students in the crowd.

“They recognized me,” said Weldon. “They were the ones making the suggestions. They booted me off stage, and they had a great time doing that.”

After the show, when asked whether or not there was anything he found funny, McGill said “no” and then laughed. But when asked if he had fun, he lit up and said “yes.”

“I definitely recommend Awesome Life Academy for people who want a good quality of life, valuable social skills and activities, basically, if you want to have a fun time,” he said.

Mike Davis is a theater reporter who covers stages across Chicago.