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