ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando’s arts community is vibrant and diverse, an entertainment scene filled with acting groups, theater companies, dance and musical groups that bring out big crowds to their performances. 

One theater professor at Rollins College also spends her time working as the artistic director for the Running Man Theatre Company in Orlando, helping actors of all abilities shine bright on the stage in the inclusive company. 

Inside OCA in Orlando, members of the Running Man Theatre Company run through acting exercises. 

“My goal here is to train theater artists, no matter their ability level,” said Dr. Marianne DiQuattro, artistic director of Running Man Theatre Co., through OCA in Orlando. 

DiQuattro works full time as a professor of theater at Rollins College but also spends much of her time working with the actors in OCA's theater program. She helps young adults and adults living with disabilities to act on stage and hone their craft. 

“As a disabled artist myself, I think it’s very important to be visible to other young people with disabilities so that they can see a model that the world of theater is growing more inclusive, of telling stories of people with disabilities and of giving them opportunities to then perform,” DiQuattro said. 

She works with this group regularly, mastering the skills they will need to take the stage. Everyone who comes in for class is constantly pushing themselves to take on bigger challenges. 

“And they wanted to do a musical, so I said, ‘OK, of course, let’s do it,’ " DiQuattro said. "Let’s try it."

Taking on  "Beauty and the Beast Junior" this spring, the musical became Running Man Theatre’s longest performance yet, in front of their biggest crowd ever for the Front Yard Festival at the Dr. Philips Center. Their performance wowed the crowd and their teacher. 

“I would have to be like, 'Don’t cry, don’t cry,' " DiQuattro said. "They’re up there singing ‘Be Our Guest,’ and I can just see even from backstage, they are nailing it."

Working with DiQuattro, these actors have no trouble stepping out of their comfort zones to try new skills.  

Seeing this dedicated group smashing down barriers and paving new roads forward for actors with disabilities, she said, has been an amazing thing to witness. 

“They met every expectation and exceeded it,” DiQuattro said. 

And whether she’s working with students at Rollins College or the actors in Running Man Theatre, DiQuattro said that it’s that same drive to improve, to push harder and succeed on the stage that shines bright on every face all the same.

“There are very few things that actually separate us when it comes to ability," DiQuattro said. "We all have the same desire for social connectedness and meaningful inclusion."

Find out more about the group’s future theater performances, or on how to get involved with Running Man Theatre Group.