This Kelowna acting class empowers adults with down syndrome

At EMC Studios in Kelowna, a group of adults with Down syndrome gather each week for six weeks under the guidance of Damon Gregory, the studio’s founder, to explore the transformative world of acting and improv. The energy in the room is vibrant, the laughter contagious, and the confidence being built is immeasurable.

What started as a simple suggestion from a concerned parent has blossomed into a program that’s not only enriching lives but also shifting perceptions.

" One of the parents who came to me, who has a couple of daughters, one an adult with down syndrome, and she thought it would be a great activity as there is not enough activities locally for adults with down syndrome," Gregory told Kelowna10. "There's representation for these actors, there's a lot of opportunity."

He admitted working with people with Down Syndrome has been a learning experience for him as well as his students.

“I've learned a lot of patience and understanding. And I've learned to be a lot more free with myself because I'm engaging with people who are at, a level of truth and honesty," Gregory explained. "It's not a maturity level so much as a human level that I'm finding myself a lot more engaged with others as I go throughout my day, in my life thereafter.”

The classes are designed to be both accessible and engaging. Using foundational techniques that focus heavily on repetition, students build their skill sets, grow in confidence, and most importantly, have fun along the way.

" We're learning a lot of new stuff that these guys don't have any clue about. This is a whole new world for them, and this is a great exploration for them," Gregory said. "We're keeping it engaging every week with new ideas and new things coming at them.”

But the benefits go far beyond performance skills. Week by week, Gregory says he’s noticed real changes.

"Both the improv and the acting are expanding their awareness of imagination, and repetitive exercises are helping them gain confidence through speaking directly and eye contact," he said. " A lot of activities that are new to them, are testing their self-confidence. I've seen huge advances in all these students since last fall. It's been great."

Some of the students agree, and say the experience has been both fun and empowering.

“l like acting. For me, it’s really good because your feelings are your feelings," said one of the students, Chase.

"I like this improv class because I get to be with my friends and I'm happy about it. I feel confident about it and very good and powerful," said another student, Holly.

“It makes me happy. For me, I would say it's not that hard, it’s pretty easy," said fellow student Parker.

At the heart of the program is a message about inclusion. Gregory hopes those viewing from the outside come away with a better understanding of his students’ capabilities and potential.

"I think they're ahead of us in some ways because they're so honest and present, and they're not holding back. They're being who they truly are, which is the funnest part for all of us," he said. " What the general community needs to understand is that these students are capable of anything that all the rest of us are."

While there are no current plans to expand the classes beyond their initial six-week run, Gregory remains focused on helping his students develop the skills and confidence to step into the spotlight, both on stage and in life.