UpBeat!
CFCArts’ UpBeat! provides an artistic platform for youth, teen, and adult exceptional learners and neurodivergent performers. The UpBeat! Troupe, produces multiple performances each year, including both short films and musicals, featuring the unique talents and abilities of a cast of performers with various exceptionalities and diagnoses. CFCArts is proud to holistically support our performers and showcase their abilities, so our community at large can witness their incredible talent and potential.
The UpBeat! Difference
The purpose of this program is to provide an inclusive space for our community with varying abilities. Our performers are given opportunities appropriate to their individual needs that encourage and challenge them in ways not typically available in a mainstream community theater program. What makes UpBeat! unique is the use of an interprofessional team of board-certified music therapists, arts in health practitioners, and teaching artists who collaborate to develop programs based on the individual needs of the performers.
The UpBeat! Approach
We strive to give each performer a meaningful experience that showcases their unique abilities and allows our whole community to see their incredible talent and potential. We employ the following methods:
- Customized scripts are created to match the skills and needs of performers within each show
- Customized rehearsal structure that is uniquely modified to the needs of the cast, to best support group cohesion and social skill development
- We teach creative skills in acting, singing, and dance in a modified format that is accessible in both skill level and pace
- We use teleprompter theater to support students in doing their best in performances by reducing the stress of line memorization
- We support life skills including communication, self-expression, emotional regulation, and general confidence building.
- Additionally, we are happy to provide additional support for individuals on a case-by-case basis.
If you have any questions about UpBeat! or wondering if this group is right for you or your performer, please email: school@cfcarts.com.
Partners
- Advance Learning Academy
- Best Buddies
- Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida | Members of DSACF can receive a full scholarship to participate in Upbeat! Contact us today to find out how!
- Family Café
- Family Café, Youth Summit
- Quest Kids Academy
- Quest, Inc.
Our History
One of the key missions of Central Florida Community Arts has been to make high-quality arts programming accessible to everyone in Central Florida, regardless of age, ability, or available resources. Through our partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida, we recognized a critical need in our community. While performing arts programs for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities existed, many offerings concluded once the participant reached the age of twenty-one.
Recognizing the importance of providing these programs CFCArts created the UpBeat! Theater Troupe in 2018, providing performance opportunities to our local teen and adult exceptional learners. Our purpose was to provide an inclusive space for all members of our community with varying abilities to build creative skills such as acting, singing, and dance in addition to supporting life skills including verbal and non-verbal communication, self-expression, emotional regulation, and group cohesion. In 2020 the program developed a virtual short film option in response to COVID-19, which has continued to serve folks outside of our geographic region including participation from four other states. And in 2021, we created a youth-based program serving ages 7-13 upon requests from parents in our local community.
UpBeat! has received many accolades including winning the 2020 International Hamilton Arts & Innovation Award and a prestigious grant in 2021 from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additionally, UpBeat! has been featured in 2021-2023 at the Family Cafe, Florida’s largest disabilities summit, in addition to being shared as a program model at the National Organization for Arts & Health Conference (2021), Berklee College of Music’s ABLE Assembly (2022), and at the MedPACt’s Global Health Conference hosted by the University of Central Florida (2023).
Our Funders
Culture Builds Florida
DSACF
National Endowment for the Arts
Meet the UpBeat! Team
Edwin Alvarado
UpBeat! Member Ambassador
Beckie Ward
UpBeat! Member Ambassador
UpBeat!
For students ages 16+ wanting an in-person rehearsal and performance experience.
Rehearsals
UpBeat! In Person Rehearsal Schedule (Live Performance)
Rehearsal Kickoff: Thursday, August 8, from 6-7:30 p.m.
Time: Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m.
Season: August 8 – October 17 **
Location: Broadway United Methodist Church (406 E Amelia St, Orlando, FL 32803)
** New This Season: Attendance Requirement
Starting this season, we ask that all members attend 85% of rehearsals (10 of 12 rehearsals) and all tech rehearsals (4 rehearsals).
We structure UpBeat! So that we have small scenes for each member to shine. When members are absent, it greatly affects the rest of the group.
If a member is to miss more than the allotted 2 absences, we may have to minimize their role in the show or recast as appropriate, depending on the situation. If there is a reason that you would need to miss more than the allotted absences, please reach out to us. We are happy to work with you on a case-by-case basis, as we know that life happens.
For any last-minute absences, please let us know as soon as possible, preferably at least 2 hours before rehearsal. Starting this fall, the weekly reminder email will include a link to a survey that you can fill out to let us know about any upcoming absences.
UpBeat! Is a team effort, and we work best when we are all together!
Performances
UpBeat! In Person Performance Schedule (Live Performance)
Prepare for an immersive theater experience that will send shivers down your spine. Our talented actors will bring classic monsters and eerie ghosts to life in the family-friendly UpBeat! Haunted House. Journey through a series of spine-tingling scenes, each offering unique thrills with performances that blend dance, theater, sign language, and more. Witness firsthand the creativity, passion, and dedication of our performers, as they showcase their skills and deliver a night filled with chills, joy, and a sense of accomplishment that both actors and their families can be proud of! Don't miss out on this extraordinary showcase of spooky fun!
Tech Rehearsals:
Thursday, October 24, from 6-8 p.m.
Broadway United Methodist Church (406 E Amelia St, Orlando, FL 32803)
Monday, October 28, from 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, October 29, from 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday, October 30, from 6-8 p.m.
No reherarsal on Thursday, October 31.
Friday, November 1, from 6-8 p.m. (This will be an invited dress rehearsal. Exact times may change.)
St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church (1600 S Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789)
Performances (TENTATIVE):
Saturday, November 2, at 5 p.m.
Sunday, November 3, at 3 p.m.
St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church (1600 S Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789)
UpBeat! Jr.
For students ages 8-15 wanting an in-person rehearsal and performance experience
Rehearsals
UpBeat! Jr. Rehearsal Schedule (Live Performance)
This course is taught by a board-certified music therapist providing integrated music interventions to support student development in addition to preparing a theatrical performance.
Rehearsal Kickoff: Wednesday, August 14, from 6-7 p.m.
Time: Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m.
Season: August 14 – October 16 **
Location: Broadway United Methodist Church (406 E Amelia St, Orlando, FL 32803)
** New This Season: Attendance Requirement
Starting this season, we ask that all members attend 85% of rehearsals (9 of 11 rehearsals) and all tech rehearsals (3 rehearsals).
We structure UpBeat! So that we have small scenes for each member to shine. When members are absent, it greatly affects the rest of the group.
If a member is to miss more than the allotted 2 absences, we may have to minimize their role in the show or recast as appropriate, depending on the situation. If there is a reason that you would need to miss more than the allotted absences, please reach out to us. We are happy to work with you on a case-by-case basis, as we know that life happens.
For any last-minute absences, please let us know as soon as possible, preferably at least 2 hours before rehearsal. Starting this fall, the weekly reminder email will include a link to a survey that you can fill out to let us know about any upcoming absences.
UpBeat! Is a team effort, and we work best when we are all together!
Performances
UpBeat! Jr. Performance Schedule (Live Performance)
Prepare for an immersive theater experience that will send shivers down your spine. Our talented actors will bring classic monsters and eerie ghosts to life in the family-friendly UpBeat! Haunted House. Journey through a series of spine-tingling scenes, each offering unique thrills with performances that blend dance, theater, sign language, and more. Witness firsthand the creativity, passion, and dedication of our performers, as they showcase their skills and deliver a night filled with chills, joy, and a sense of accomplishment that both actors and their families can be proud of! Don't miss out on this extraordinary showcase of spooky fun!
Tech Rehearsals:
Wednesday, October 23, from 6-7 p.m.
Broadway United Methodist Church (406 E Amelia St, Orlando, FL 32803)
Tuesday, October 29, from 6:15-7:15 p.m.
Wednesday, October 30, from 6:15-7:15 p.m.
No reherarsal on Thursday, October 31.
Friday, November 1, from 6:15-8 p.m. (This will be an invited dress rehearsal. Exact times may change.)
St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church (1600 S Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789)
Performances (TENTATIVE):
Saturday, November 2, at 5 p.m.
Sunday, November 3, at 3 p.m.
St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church (1600 S Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789)
UpBeat! Virtual
For students ages 12+ wanting or needing an online/Zoom option with performance via pre-recorded short film
Rehearsals
UpBeat! Virtual Rehearsal Schedule (Short Film Option)
Rehearsal Kickoff: Monday, August 5, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Time: Mondays from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Season: August 5 – October 21 **
There is no rehearsal on September 2 in observance of Labor Day.
Location: ZOOM
** New This Season: Attendance Requirement
Starting this season, we ask that all members attend 85% of rehearsals (10 of 12 rehearsals) and a scheduled recording session.
We structure UpBeat! So that we have small scenes for each member to shine. When members are absent, it greatly affects the rest of the group.
If a member is to miss more than the allotted 2 absences, we may have to minimize their role in the show or recast as appropriate, depending on the situation. If there is a reason that you would need to miss more than the allotted absences, please reach out to us. We are happy to work with you on a case-by-case basis, as we know that life happens.
For any last-minute absences, please let us know as soon as possible, preferably at least 2 hours before rehearsal. Starting this fall, the weekly reminder email will include a link to a survey that you can fill out to let us know about any upcoming absences.
UpBeat! Is a team effort, and we work best when we are all together!
Performances
UpBeat! Virtual Performance Schedule (Short Film Option)
Prepare for an immersive theater experience that will send shivers down your spine. Our talented actors will bring classic monsters and eerie ghosts to life in the family-friendly UpBeat! Haunted House. Journey through a series of spine-tingling scenes, each offering unique thrills with performances that blend dance, theater, sign language, and more. Witness firsthand the creativity, passion, and dedication of our performers, as they showcase their skills and deliver a night filled with chills, joy, and a sense of accomplishment that both actors and their families can be proud of! Don't miss out on this extraordinary showcase of spooky fun!
Filming Time Frame: Students will be filmed individually by appointment via Zoom between September 30 and October 19.
Premiere: Short films will be premiered as part of the LIVE performances on November 2 and 3.
See an example of an UpBeat! Virtual short film performance!
Registration
Registration Information
Registration
Click here to register for the UpBeat! season. (link coming soon)
- If you are new to UpBeat! and would like to meet with the director, please contact upbeat@cfcarts.com so that we can schedule a virtual meet and greet before the first rehearsal! If the performer lives with a parent or guardian, both the performer and a parent or guardian should be present. If the performer lives independently, a parent or guardian does not need to be present.
- Are you a member of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida (DSACF)? Please email upbeat@cfcarts.com for information on a full scholarship from DSACF!
- If you have any additional questions, please email upbeat@cfcarts.com.
Dues
Dues will be for all music, rehearsals, community performances, and performances for UpBeat! from now through October 2024. Please see pricing below:
Fall 2024 Dues: $175
Payment options are included in the Registration Form (link coming soon)! Financial assistance and payment plans are also available. Please email upbeat@cfcarts.com with any questions.
NOTE: DSACF members need to register with DSACF before registering with CFCArts.