Channel 2 News Story

Special Needs Group Helps Actor
Actor, 13, Plays Boy With Muscular Dystrophy

POSTED: Monday, September 7, 2009
UPDATED: 2:42 pm CDT September 7, 2009

HOUSTON -- Every summer, Theatre Under The Stars reaches out to The River For Performing and Visual Arts to help budding artists with special needs find new ways to express themselves.

FIND IT: The Musical 13 From Tuts


This summer, it's was The River's chance to help give a Tuts actor a leg up on his new role.

On top of learning new songs and fancy footwork with the rest of the cast for Theatre Under The Stars' new musical 13, Shawn Hardin had to learn to do it with Muscular Dystrophy.

"My hands are always sore at the end of every rehearsal," he said. "I have learned it is not as easy as it looks."

Hardin, 13, does not have the disease, but Archie, the character he plays does.

"I had always thought it was just regular walking but it is opposite of that," he said. "I learned they walk on their toes because they don't have enough strength to move their Achilles."

For some extra help learning to be Archie, Hardin turned The River For Performing and Visual Arts.

"We were thrilled to be able to work with him and give him some idea of what it is like to walk in those shoes outside of a stage," said Sandy Wicoff, The River director.

Wicoff said it is usually Tuts lending her group a hand, helping teach children with disabilities and chronic illness how to do anything from making music to dance.

So, The River was more than happy to return the favor.

"These professionals come in and teach the kids the art that they love and it shows and the kids really shine," Susan Hurst said.

Shawn and Susan Hurst talked about what she saw watching her sister struggle with cerebral palsy.

"It is good to give a different perspective, maybe a more personal perspective," Susan Hurst said.

Hardin said that for the role of Archie, it was all about keeping it real.

"Which is why I have done so much research to make sure it doesn't look fake," Hardin said.

For more on the musical 13, which will be held Sept. 10 through Sept. 12 at Zilkha Hall, visit www.tuts.com.

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