Autistic License Outreach Tour

Back by popular demand, Illusion Theater will present a series of performances of Autistic License by Stacey Dinner-Levin during the month of April for Autism Awareness Month.  The production will travel to various locations in the Twin Cities as well as having two performances at Illusion Theater's downtown Minneapolis location. Autistic License offers a look at the complicated world of a family living with autism.  It presents audiences with a glimpse of the joys, terrors, rewards and struggles of raising a child in a world that has far too many opinions on what is "normal." More information about Autistic License can be found by visiting the our Current Season page or by clicking here.

Positive Exposure

IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER Celebrating the Richness of Human Diversity Presented by Rick Guidotti, Founder, Positive Exposure Sponsored by the University of Minnesota's Institute for Human Genetics, the Center for Bioethics, and the Illusion Theater SAVE THE DATES April 24 from 7pm-9:30pm at Illusion Theater in Minneapolis, MN April 25 from Noon-1:30pm at Mayo Auditorium, U of MN, Twin Cities Campus "IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER" will focus on the unique perspective of people with disabilities.  Each program will include a presentation, audience discussion, reception, and photograph exhibit by Rick Guidotti, founder of Positive Exposure - a non-profit organization whose innovative programs challenge the stigma associated with difference and celebrates the richness of human diversity. Positive Exposure encourages participants to ask questions such as: What does a genetic disease look like? How do we define disability? How do we form our perceptions of disease and disability? What do others see when they see someone 'affected' with a disease or disability? These are among some of the most challenging questions students and practitioners in all areas of health care must face. The program at Illusion Theater will also include theatrical excerpts from Illusion's play Autistic License and a conversation with the playwright Stacey Dinner-Levin.  Autistic License was chosen as one of the ten top plays of 2007 by the St Paul Pioneer Press who wrote "Autistic License is a docu-drama, a true to life play that takes audiences on the roller coaster ride of raising a child with autism." Written with "unflinching honesty" by Dinner-Levin who is the mother of an autistic child, "it's a sometimes exhausting, sometimes exhilarating, frequently terrifying trip that informs, enlightens and entertains." Both programs are free and open to the public.  For registration and information, visit the website at www.bioethics.umn.edu or contact the Center for Bioethics at 612-624-9440 or bioethx@umn.edu. Funded by a grant made possible by funds received from the University of Minnesota Presidential Interdisciplinary Initiative Process. In October 2003, President Robert Bruininks named the Consortium on Law and Values in Health, Environment & the Life Sciences one of the 8 Presidential Interdisciplinary Initiatives.