autism in broadway How to dance in ohio

EPISODE 95
Autism on Broadway:
“HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO”
Makes History

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Show Notes

How to Dance in Ohio is a heart-filled new musical that explores what it means to belong, the courage it takes to put yourself out in the world, and the universal need to connect. The musical follows the challenges and triumphs faced by a group of seven autistic young adults at a counseling center in Columbus, Ohio. The center arranges a spring formal dance, and encourages them as they encounter love, fear, stress, excitement, and hope along the path to human connection. We speak with Linda J. Walder, Founder and Executive Director of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation that honored the cast and crew with The DJF Foundation Adult Autism award, and with Rebekah Greer Melocik, book author and lyricist, and Nicole D’Angelo, Assistant Music Director and member of the show’s access team.

Visit “How to Dance in Ohio” website 

Learn more about The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation

Article: HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO Will Receive Leader in Adult Autism Award

How to Dance in Ohio on Broadway
How to Dance in Ohio on Broadway
Linda Walder Presenting The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Adult Autism Award
Linda Walder Presenting The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Adult Autism Award
Linda Walder with the cast of How to Dance in Ohio
Linda Walder with the cast of How to Dance in Ohio

Featuring

Linda J. Walder

LINDA J. WALDER

Linda J. Walder is the Founder and Executive Director of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation focused exclusively on adult Autism since 2002. She is recognized as a trailblazer who has led the world in developing programs, resources, public policy and the first and only adult Autism focused endowment funds at major universities. Linda serves on the Professional Advisory Board of the Autism Society of America and the Editorial Board of Autism Spectrum News, and has received many honors for her innovative support for autistic adults and organizations serving them.

Rebekah Greer Melocik

REBEKAH GREER MELOCIK

Rebekah Greer Melocik is an Ohio native, NYC-based lyricist and bookwriter who has made her Broadway writing debut with Ohio, with her composer, collaborator, Jacob Yandura. She is the author of the book of the same name, and wrote the lyrics for the songs! Her other projects include the last queen of Canaan, Wringer, and the Tower. Rebekah received a BA in poetry from the University of Southern California, and then MFA from New York University’s graduate musical theater writing program. She also is interested in apocalypses, both global and personal.

Visit Rebekah’s website

Nicole D'Angelo

NICOLE D’ANGELO

Nicole D’Angelo is a music director, actor, and multi-instrumentalist in the NJ/NYC area. They are the Assistant Music Director and script consultant for Ohio and also serves as a member of the show’s Access team. They have worked on over 150 theater productions in various capacities, and were most recently seen playing Tilly Evans in EPIC Players’ production of She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms. They are also known for their disability advocacy work and are passionate about empowering Autistic artists. Nicole is also a small business owner—in addition to teaching private music students for over 10 years they recently opened an Etsy shop for handmade Broadway costumes for teddy bears!

Visit Nicole’s website

Follow her on Intagram / TikTok with @nicole.m.dangelo

…and Continue the Discussion

Do you have a book or podcast club? If so, you may use this discussion guide to facilitate a conversation about this episode.

1) What are the hopes and aspirations for the impact of “How to Dance in Ohio”? Do Rebekah and Nicole feel they are being realized? Have you experienced other projects in the arts with similar goals?

2) The show is not just ground-breaking for the autistic actors in lead roles on Broadway, but also for other important initiatives. What were some of the innovations that may help to change future presentations of the performing arts?

3) As discussed, all seven autistic actors portray individuals who are very different from each other. What is the value of this representation of diversity, especially for individuals who have very little direct experience of having autistic people in their lives?

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Music

Matt Savage, courtesy of Savage Records

Matt Savage is an autistic jazz musician, composer, and bandleader. Matt has collaborated with jazz greats like Chick Corea, the Ellington All Stars, Chaka Khan, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby Watson, Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Jason Moran, Arturo O’Farrill, John Pizzarelli, Joshua Redman, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Faddis, Jerry Bergonzi. Donny McCaslin, and more. He has recorded more than a dozen records and graciously contributes the music for Uniquely Human.

Production and Sound Design

ELEVATEDSTUDIO

Uniquely Human: The Podcast is produced, engineered, and edited by Elevated Studio in Denver, Colorado. Owned and operated by co-host Dave Finch, Elevated Studio produces digital media assets and content strategies for the electronics, entertainment, and lifestyle industries.