I Am You

Stone Belt and the Bloomington Playwrights Project present I Am You, a powerful experience of original theatre, written and performed by individuals with developmental disabilities.

I Am You features a series of inspirational monologues which capture the whole scope of the human condition through self-determination, love, friendship, loss, hopes, and dreams.  Audience members will experience a whole range of emotion shared, from great sadness to jubilant humor.  Performers invite the audience to learn about their lives, and demonstrate their abilities, contributions, and self-determination as members of the community.

Nine of Stone Belt’s inspiring clients will perform this year’s production: Sarah Fox, Richelle Hartman, and Betsy Higgins of Bloomington, Nancy Vibart, Vicky Smith, Troy Stewart, and Jonathon Hendrix of Bedford, Janna Watts, and Chris Rohrig of Columbus. 

“The BPP is ecstatic to be working with Stone Belt once again on I Am You," says BPP Managing Director Gabe Gloden. "Our work here at the BPP is built upon collaboration, and we can’t think of a more mutually beneficial collaboration than the one we have with Stone Belt.”

Now in its third season, I Am You was originally crafted by Michelle Davenport, a former Indiana University student volunteer who worked with Stone Belt clients in 2008 and 2010 to write and perform stories of their lives.  The first production of I Am You featured nine individuals sharing their stories, along with a powerful slide show and outstanding musical accompaniment provided by a client musician.

“I learn so much from all of the actors, and during our workshops I find how similar we all are to one another," explains Davenport.  "The goal of these performances is for people who have never met, or who don't know much about individuals with disabilities, to develop a greater understanding and for us to begin to break down the stereotypes. I know every time I hear a story, I get a greater understanding of people in general, and I also learn more about myself.”

The oldest and largest agency of its kind in south central Indiana, Stone Belt has been providing innovative supports and education to individuals with disabilities since 1959.  Begun by nine visionary families wishing to create educational opportunities for their school-age children, Stone Belt has grown to include residential programs, employment resources, life skills and vocational training, a professional art studio and clinical services, all of which enable individuals with disabilities to live self-directed lives of significance and meaning.

I Am You will have a limited run of two performances on Saturday, March 10 at 7pm and Sunday, March 11 at 2:30pm at the Bloomington Playwrights Project, 107 W Ninth Street, Bloomington.  Tickets for Saturday’s performance will be $20, which includes a talkback session and a reception to follow the performance, and Sunday’s performance will be $15.

The sold-out show during the first season of I AM YOU drew a crowd of more than 100 audience members.  In order to accommodate the demand for this extraordinary art, Stone Belt and the BPP decided to showcase two performances for the second season in 2010.  Once again, both nights’ performances sold out, with several dozen unfortunately turned away at the door once the theatre had reached capacity.

“Not only does I AM YOU empower the performers, but it entertains audiences while staying true to the BPP’s mission: the production of new theatre," says Gloden.