May 08, 2024
‘Unity Through Diversity’ Performance Celebrates All Abilities
The fifth annual “Unity Through Diversity: Celebrating All Abilities in the Arts” is a musical and artistic extravaganza championing contributions of the neurodivergent community in every aspect.
Unity Through Diversity, held April 26 at Molloy University’s Madison Theatre, features a democratic decision-making process with performers voting to select the songs that are considered and ultimately selected.
“I enjoy the songs we play,” said Charles Powell. “We all have to agree about the songs we’d play.”
“We pick different songs each year,” he said. “All of us made suggestions.”
The 27-year-old Powell is a graduate of Molloy with a degree in new media and a minor in music. At a recent rehearsal, he played drums in the Lots O’ Stuff musical group that includes members such as himself who are neurodivergent. He’s also had been diligently working on his script for the show where he served as co-host for the second year in a row.
Powell’s responsibilities included introducing the musical acts up next and noting others coming up. He shared co-hosting duties with Elizabeth Mintz, 21, a current Molloy student who is a music therapy major and is also neurodivergent.
Elizabeth, who also performed as a vocalist, follows a simple hosting guideline. “You gotta have fun with it,” she said.
She is a student ambassador and orientation team member at Molloy and belongs to a host of clubs including performing arts, acapella and music therapy.
Mintz, who serves as a disability advocate on campus, took a leading role in the show’s efforts to create a sensory room for audience members who may need a quiet space away from the music at Unity Through Diversity. There were also sensory bags available to share with those who need earplugs for hearing protection, sunglasses to counter bright stage lighting and other anticipated needs.
Preceding the one-hour musical show, was an hourlong art gallery held in the theater lobby featuring works from members of The Rebecca Center for Music Therapy at Molloy, the show’s presenter, members of the Molloy University community and local schools and community groups. There were sales by local vendors, plus raffles and t-shirt sales. All proceeds benefit The Rebecca Center’s Client Scholarship Fund.
Unity Through Diversity is very much in concert with The Rebecca Center, where music therapists create personalized interactive music experiences that help people of all abilities to self-express, engage and socialize. Individual and inclusive community group classes are for everyone.
Diana Abourafeh, a music therapist at The Rebecca Center who serves as event organizer, explained that Unity Through Diversity “is not about us or the center.” The initiative, which began five years ago, sprung from a need to highlight people of all abilities, especially after high school.
“It’s about the neurodivergent community,” Abourafeh said, “and how we can provide a platform for them to express, whether that be in music, art, poetry, dance, whatever creative outlets they have.” She estimated that “north of 50 performers” participated in this year’s show.
The Lots O’ Stuff band includes members of the neurodivergent community as well as Molloy music therapy students, said Mike Kelliher, a music therapist and instructor at The Rebecca Center who oversees the show’s music. The band rehearses all year long, then in December and January song selections begin and all efforts focus on Unity Through Diversity.
Other performing groups include the Molloy University MOST Program, through the Mary Quinn Foundation, and the university’s Acapella, Music Therapy and Performing Arts clubs. Also participating were Molloy’s Community Care Mobile Clinic, L.E.A.D. Club, Molloy University ACCESS and The Nicholas Center.
“Our mission is to bring people together that are considered to be differently abled and celebrate it artistically,” Kelliher said. “We are looking to celebrate differences…When we do celebrate those differences, we come together for a common purpose.”
At a recent Tuesday afternoon rehearsal, members of Lots O’ Stuff were joined by Molloy University president James Lentini, who is an award-winning composer and classical guitarist, and Donald “DJ” Mitchell Jr., the university’s vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, on trumpet.
Both performed in Unity Through Diversity last year and returned to participate in the show’s opening and closing numbers, Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder and Dance to the Music by Sly and the Family Stone, joyful and lively musical selections featuring every performer in the show.
Also on this year’s bill were songs by the Jackson 5 (ABC); The Beatles (Come Together); Frank Sinatra (The Way You Look Tonight), James Brown (I Got You--I Feel Good) and three by Queen (We Will Rock You, Don’t Stop Me Now and Somebody to Love), in addition to others by Oasis and Ace of Base.
“I thought it was a great show,” said Lentini speaking about last year’s performance in a brief interview. “I was really impressed with the students and the way they handled the whole show. The way they dialogue with the audience, perform and sing, and the enthusiasm is contagious.”
Lentini said Unity Through Diversity fits into the Molloy University experience in many ways.
“It’s about inclusivity, it’s about students of all abilities and backgrounds, and it’s making sure that we’re an accommodating and inclusive environment for all students, no matter their levels of experience,” he said.
For Mitchell, the event brings together two of his passions, diversity, equity and inclusion and music. “To be able to participate is an amazing experience,” he said.
Unity Through Diversity generally attracts between 200 and 300 guests, including family members and clients of the Rebecca Center as well as supporters, community members, along with Molloy students.
After graduation, Mintz said she hopes to work with and serve as a role model for kids with disabilities. “I want to show them that you can do what you love and help them cope with a world not built for them,” she said.