Welcome to Positive Action Community Theatre (PACT).  We provide inclusive theatre and dance programs to children, teens, and adults with autism and other disabilities.  PACT workshops teach self esteem, cooperation, fitness and creativity.  One of our goals is to create a diverse community of performing arts enthusiasts.

 

Winter 8-week sessions begin January 21st.

 

Inclusive Theatre for Teens/Adults:

2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

$175

 

Inclusive Dance for Teens/Adults

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

$150

 

Scholarships are available based on need.

 

 We offer a children's inclusive theatre program in the summer.

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Our theatre programs utilize mostly improvisation.  Our dance programs teach hip hop, country, motown, salsa and other popular dance steps.

 

Our programs consist of participants with and without disabilities. 

We are always looking for good volunteers.

760-815-8512                 info@pacthouse.org

 

News Flash:  We are in the planning stages of offering a new Inclusive Drumming Circle in January.  We await word of funding, and will let you know when we are able to confirm that program.  Enrique Platas, master drummer and teacher will lead the drumming circle on Sunday afternoons for all ages. 

Working with rhythm is often an aspect of therapy for those with autism.  This program will bring this effective tool out of the clinical setting and into the natural environment of music – something the whole family can enjoy together.

It's going to be great!

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 We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to study and express art, and that discovering and developing our creative natures contributes greatly to a happy and fulfilled life, while teaching us many life skills that help us in all areas of our lives.

The performing arts naturally bring those who have been isolated by their disability back into a shared world.  Feeling connected, they are empowered to share their gifts.  We all benefit. 

Our program evaluations show a consistent improvement in self esteem, cooperation, fitness, and creativity. Feedback from parents is that their children and young adults are more able to connect with others and express themselves as a result of participation in our programs.

Volunteers from our community to help us achieve an approximately 50/50 balance of those with and without disabilities in our programs. It's perfect for first time volunteers, because all that is asked of them is to enjoy learning and expressing the performing arts with some great people.  The rest is done through the art itself, with its camaraderie building group activities.  No mention is made as to who is a participant and who is a volunteer, or to anyone's disability.  All are equal, and the focus is on creativity and fun, as we notice that we are all much more alike than we are different.

Our eight week teen/adult inclusive theatre and dance workshop series and are offered four times a year.  Our inclusive children's theatre series is offered in the summer. 

Each eight week cycle concludes with a performance for family and friends.  In November PACT's community of artists perform at our yearly showcase for a larger audience.  Some of the PACT community performs for residents of local nursing homes, where they experience the boost in self esteem that comes from bringing joy into the lives of others through the expression of ones artistic talents.

 

PACT has received grant funds from:

The City of Encinitas and the Mizel Family Foundation (multi-year)

The Puffin Foundation

Area Board 13 of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (multi-year)

The California Arts Council and National Arts and Disability Center at UCLA (multi-year)

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust

The National Foundation for Autism Research 

The Nordson Foundation

 

Many thanks to you all.

 

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 PACT offers programs at Dance North County in Encinitas.  We also collaborate with the Girl Scouts of San Diego County to bring our theatre/life skills workshops to Girl Scout troops throughout  the county.

 

 

Though we welcome everyone, most of those with disabilities we serve are on the autism spectrum. 

Our programs provide an opportunity for them to study and express  theatre and dance, and learn life and social skills from the modeling of their typical peers.

Our goal is to encourage self esteem, cooperation, fitness, and creativity in individuals of with disabilities.

Our goal is also to foster  understanding and appreciation for diversity in our community, which is perhaps the best gift we can give to those with disabilities.

We strive to be a model of a successful inclusive arts program, in hopes that others will create similar programs of their own.

PACT's programs create a safe space to develop artistic talents, learn vital life skills, make new friends, and have fun.

 Do you know of a child, teen, or adult who would benefit from  inclusive theatre and dance?  How about you?  People of all abilities and ages enjoy our programs, and we are always looking for good volunteers.

PACT is proud to be an affiliate of KIT (Kids Included Together) and is receiving the benefit of four years of their excellent training on best practices for providing a truly inclusive program.

We welcome feedback.

Contact Kathryn Campion, PACT's Executive Director: info@pacthouse.org  or call 760-815-8512 for more information.

Please pre-register.

PACT's Inclusive Performing Arts Workshops are offered at Dance North County, 535 Encinitas Blvd., Smite 101, Encinitas, CA. 92024

     Please note that the above address is the location of our programs, but not our office address. (See 'How You Can Help' page for office address.)

PACT programs are held at an accessible facility.

See "Services" page for more details on PACT programs. 

info@pacthouse.org

760-815-8512.