ORLANDO, Fla. — Like most performers, Beckie Ward has a dream that one day she will stand on center stage with her name on a theatre marquee.  

What You Need To Know

  • Central Florida Community Arts' "UpBeat!" program is open to youth, teens, and adults

  • The program is tailored to individual performers and their needs

  • Performers work with specialists, customized scripts, and creative skills

  • Performers gain communication, self-expression, emotional regulation, and confidence

She is putting her skills in the spotlight this weekend as a cast member of “Night At A Museum.”

“The show is about different exhibits that come to life every night, but it’s not the actual movie. We created our own,” she said.

Produced by Central Florida Community Arts’ UpBeat!, they tailor the sold-out shows to each individual performer, with the help of board-certified music therapists, arts in health practitioners and teaching artists.

“Our program is very unique in that we are meeting each performer at their level,” said William Tayek, associate artistic director for CFCArts’ UpBeat! program. “I get to speak with all of the performers, get to know them and then I write the scripts, trying to challenge each performer and at the same time giving them a role where they can star.”

Tayek said UpBeat! gives stage space to youth, teens, and adults with varying exceptionalities. It started a few years ago with a group partnership with Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida, ensuring truly anybody can share the stage.

“I’ve been directing since 2020 and it’s a joy every day,” Tayek said. “Out of my many jobs I have, it’s the best one. My favorite one to see all of these performers who appreciate the work you do and give themselves back 120% and they enjoy what they do and it makes it easy for me to have a good time with it.”

For UpBeat! performers like Edwin Alvarado and Ward, the value is not just the applause after the show, it’s the opportunity to shine on stage.

CFCArts will soon open registration for participation in the fall UpBeat! program, as they plan for the Halloween-themed, yet family-friendly, production of "Spooktacular." Like nearly all CFCArts programs, an audition is not required to join.