FORTE's
Mission:
Provide educational programs that enlighten children and adults in
our community on disability awareness.
Working
Together to
Provide Disability
Awareness for
Our Community
The Friends of RAMP Theatre Ensemble, or
FORTE, is comprised of Cadets from the Girl Scout Theater Group of
Rock River Valley Council. Together with volunteers from the
community, these girls volunteer their time and skills to perform
various disability awareness skits for people of all ages.
The skits
involve the use of Kids on the Block puppets that each have a
disability. There are puppets who have Cerebral palsy, Down
syndrome, Spina Bifida, or hearing or vision impairments.
 What
are the Kids on the Block?
The Kids on The Block is a registered puppeteer program
used to educate kids and adults about life issues. Since our July
2000 collaboration with the Rock River Valley Council Girl Scout
Theater Group to form FORTE, RAMP has used this program to educate
over 3,500 children and adults about people with disabilities at
over 40 community events and schools.
How
would you or your students benefit from a FORTE performance?
FORTE demonstrates to the audience that people with
disabilities are just like anyone else. Things are put into better
perspective for the audience as they get to know each character
and understand that he/she is no different from themselves.
Audience members, especially young children, are
encouraged to meet the puppets after each show. This presents an
opportunity to ask the puppets about their disabilities, questions
they might not otherwise feel comfortable asking a real person.
How
do I see a FORTE performance?
Performances are scheduled far in advance and happen
about once or twice a month, either at a school or community
event. There is often a waiting list, so call as soon as possible
to ensure that FORTE can make it. To book your performance or find
out more information, call (815) 968-7467 v/tty.
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