Fall River Stage Starring Actors With Autism Opens Doors to Real Jobs

In Fall River, one stage is proving that everyone deserves a spotlight. Meet the Fall River theater where actors with autism take center stage.

Spectrum Productions is a performing arts center whose cast is made up almost entirely of actors with autism. Its mantra says it all. "Every person, when given the opportunity, can take center stage and be a star," said Marcus Ferro, who founded the program with his mother, Pam Ferro.

A Mission That Hits Close to Home

For Ferro, the mission is personal. He has known many of the actors for years through his brother, and he has watched them grow. Through Spectrum, he said, they "find different ways to express themselves creatively" and discover new sides of their personalities and talents.

Courtesy Marcus Ferro

Audiences have noticed. Spectrum's shows have sold out every single time.

People With Autism Run the Show

Spectrum also hires people with autism behind the scenes. Its director, production assistant and multimedia director are all people living with autism.

The crowds couldn't cheer loud enough.

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What Is the Creative Pathways Program?

Now, Spectrum is growing. State Rep. Carole Fiola secured a $20,000 earmark, which Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues helped guide through the budget. The team used it to turn an empty storage room into a design studio. The new Creative Pathways program will teach sewing, weaving, basic carpentry, multimedia, painting and sculpting. The goal is to build skills that can be parlayed into a real job, open doors to entrepreneurship and create new methods of expression.

Courtesy Marcus Ferro

A Packed House for the Ribbon Cutting

The ribbon cutting drew a packed house. Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan, State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, State Reps. Alan Silvia and Mark Sylvia, and staff from the Department of Developmental Services, Spectrum's primary funder, all came to celebrate.

Since then, even more people have asked to join the program, and there is already talk of expanding Spectrum to an additional location in the Greater New Bedford area.

When Is Spectrum's Next Show?

Spectrum will stage Beauty and the Beast sometime this spring. The plan is to have four performances over four nights, most likely in the month of April.