Rare Bird Inclusive Theatre Camp
Performing Arts Camp For Adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
We are deeply saddened to have had to shift the camp due to HURRICANE HELENE, but we are so excited about coming together in the spring! Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to creating something wonderful together.
APRIL 24-27, 2025
MEET SOME OF OUR 2025 PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
JOIN US FOR OUR COLLABORATIVE PRODUCTION
RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 27, 2025
Join us for a heartwarming and inspiring performance on Sunday, April 27th, at 2 PM at Aldridge Hall in Christmount Conference Center, 100 Magnolia Rd., Black Mountain, NC. This special matinee will showcase the talents of 15 campers with intellectual and developmental disabilities, along with 24 volunteer artists and two professional teaching artists, who will come together to create an original musical in just two days as part of the Rare Bird Inclusive Theatre Camp.
Led by Camp Director Farrah Hoffmire, the camp offers a unique creative experience for both campers and volunteers. Hoffmire, the founder of HEART Inclusive Arts Community in Charleston, SC, has long understood the magic that happens when artists from diverse backgrounds and abilities collaborate. Her bond with longtime collaborator James Bethea, formed during their six years at HEART, inspired her to bring this work to Western North Carolina. This inaugural camp is their first step in introducing inclusive arts to the community.
The performance’s theme, "This Is Me," is inspired by the empowering song from The Greatest Showman and will feature a variety-show format, including song, dance, and theater. Campers will participate in stations covering all aspects of musical theater, from scriptwriting and voice to stage presence, costumes, set design, and marketing. While the full details of the show will only be revealed once it's been created at camp, audiences can expect a celebration of creativity, teamwork, and inclusion.
This performance is not just about showcasing talent but also about the transformative relationships that form through the collaborative creative process. The beauty of this work lies in the connections made while working toward a shared artistic goal.
Rare Bird Inclusive Theatre Camp draws inspiration from local programs like Camp Lakey Gap and Sunshine Retreats who have supported this camp getting off the ground, as well as Open Hearts Studios and Arms Around ASD, all of which provide vital yet underfunded support for adults with disabilities. We invite the community to attend and experience firsthand the incredible art we can create together, see adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a fresh light, and support the ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity in the arts.
The show will last 45mins to an hour and there will not be concessions.
THE SHOW IS FREE BUT YOUR SUPPORT GOES A LONG WAY.