Colorado Springs, CO – May 1, 2025 – This May, the Ent Center for the Arts proudly hosts two productions that center the experiences of individuals with disabilities, offering audiences deeply moving and immersive theatrical experiences. Silent Sky, produced by Theatreworks and running May 1–25, tells the true story of pioneering astronomer Henrietta Leavitt; a lead character who made her discoveries while almost entirely deaf. At the same time, Phamaly Theatre Company brings Pericles: An Adaptive Performance for People with Cognitive Disabilities – its innovative, interactive, playful and heartfelt Shakespearean experience – to the Osborne Theatre from May 15–18, specifically designed to include and engage individuals affected by autism. 

For over three decades, Denver-based Phamaly Theatre Company has redefined the possibilities of theater by exclusively casting actors with disabilities. This spring, Phamaly’s groundbreaking interactive  experience is led by internationally acclaimed director Kelly Hunter. This unique production invites local participants with cognitive disabilities to become part of the performance, fostering an inclusive and transformative artistic space. With small audiences of about 30 people per show, including family and friends, these performances promise an intimate and powerful engagement with Shakespeare’s work. 

Running concurrently on the Ent Center’s main stage, Theatreworks’ Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson celebrates the achievements of Henrietta Leavitt, a trailblazing astronomer whose work led to the discovery of how to measure the universe. The play portrays the experience of an individual who is hard of hearing, offering a perspective rarely explored in historical narratives. 

“The presence of both Silent Sky and Phamaly’s production at the Ent Center at the same time is a rare and beautiful alignment,” says Joye Cook-Levy, Director of Silent Sky for Theatreworks. “Both productions amplify voices and perspectives that have often been overlooked in traditional theater, and together, they create an important dialogue about inclusion, accessibility, and representation in the arts.” 

Phamaly’s performances in the Osborne Theatre require a unique approach to audience engagement. With only nine actors and nine participating community members per show, the performances are designed to be deeply personal. Each show lasts approximately 90 minutes, followed by a 30-minute debrief, acknowledging the emotional impact of the experience. With Phamaly’s trained staff on site to guide families and audience members, the production is carefully crafted to ensure accessibility and comfort for all involved. 

“Phamaly is the longest-running disability theatre in the United States, serving individuals with all types of disabilities for 36 years. However, throughout our history, those with high-needs cognitive disabilities have not been in a place where they can join our show onstage. This [production] is meant to celebrate those individuals and let them know that theatre belongs to them in whatever capacity they choose to engage with it,” said Ben Raanan, Artistic Director of Phamaly Theatre Company. 

“The Ent Center is honored to provide a space for Phamaly Theatre Company’s transformative work,” says David Siegel, Executive Director of the Ent Center for the Arts. “At the same time, we are thrilled that Silent Sky will offer another lens on disability representation in theater. We hope that audiences will engage with both productions and come away with a deeper understanding of the diverse ways that individuals experience and contribute to the world.” 

Tickets for Phamaly Theatre Company performances can be found at phamaly.org. For more information on these productions and to reserve tickets to Silent Sky, visit entarts.org. 

To learn more about cognitive disabilities, visit https://www.aaidd.org/intellectual-disability/faqs-on-intellectual-disability  

Media Contact:

Elyce Gronseth
Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications
Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS
egronset@uccs.edu

About Theatreworks Colorado Springs: Founded in 1975, Theatreworks is dedicated to connecting, empowering, and delighting the community through the transformative power of live performance. Theatreworks has grown as a vibrant and inclusive space for artists and audiences alike. Visit entarts.org/theatre

About Phamaly Theatre Company: Phamaly Theatre Company is a nationally recognized, disability-affirmative theater company that redefines accessibility in the arts. By producing high-quality, professional plays and musicals cast entirely of actors with disabilities, Phamaly empowers artists and audiences to see the world differently through performance. Visit phamaly.org

About the Ent Center for the Arts: Located on the UCCS campus, the Ent Center for the Arts is a first-class facility fostering creativity and collaboration. It serves as a central space for the arts, bringing together diverse ideas and people. Visit entarts.org