Introducing: CDA ACT
DEVIN WEEKS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 7 months AGO
Out of the Shadows Theater has rebranded as CDA ACT. Actors are seen here in the 2021 production of "Bye Bye Birdie." From left: Ryan Metzner with shadow actor Juno Otis, Logan Bast, Kristina Knast, Jacob Watkins as Conrad Birdie, Hana Cook and shadow actor Hunter Kennedy.
Photo by JEROME POLLOS
CDA ACT is the new name of Out of the Shadows Theater, a nonprofit that provides acting and theater opportunities for people of all abilities.
Devin Weeks is a third-generation North Idaho resident. She holds an associate degree in journalism from North Idaho College and a bachelor's in communication arts from Lewis-Clark State College Coeur d'Alene. Devin embarked on her journalism career at the Coeur d'Alene Press in 2013. She worked weekends for several years, covering a wide variety of events and issues throughout Kootenai County. Devin now mainly covers K-12 education and the city of Post Falls. She enjoys delivering daily chuckles through the Ghastly Groaner and loves highlighting local people in the Fast Five segment that runs in CoeurVoice. Devin lives in Post Falls with her husband and their three eccentric and very needy cats. | May 20, 2022 1:00 AM
What began as Out of the Shadows Theater has taken on a new moniker to better represent the heart of a local nonprofit where everyone is welcome and celebrated.
Introducing: CDA ACT — Celebrating Different Abilities through Art and Community Theatre.
"We feel fantastic about it," fundraising and marketing director Suzanne Knutson said Monday. "We wanted our brand to be more indicative of what we do and who we are. We just needed to update — we feel like our actors have come so far. They have just exploded in their confidence level and their abilities. We wanted to public to see how accomplished they have become."
CDA ACT provides opportunities and support for adults with disabilities to experience art and musical theater. Through musical theater productions, people with physical and/or developmental disabilities develop roles, perform on stage and are recognized in the community for their abilities as talented and creative artists and entertainers.
The organization's rebranding includes the new name, a new logo, website and social media.
CDA ACT's 2022 production of Disney’s "Frozen Jr." will be on stage at the Salvation Army Kroc Center Oct. 28 through Nov. 5. Auditions will be held June 20 at Lutheran Church of the Master, 4800 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d'Alene. Tickets go on sale online Sept. 1.
CDA ACT will also hold a showcase starting at 6:30 p.m. June 10 at Lyfe Coffee Roasters and Public House, 116 E Lakeside Ave., Coeur d'Alene. Actors will sing, dance and have art on display. Information will be provided about how to become a CDA ACT actor or supporter.
Knutson said CDA ACT is seeking rehearsal coaches and shadow actors to assist performers on stage.
"We celebrate different abilities in our organization and want our purpose to be obvious and require less explanation," she said. "Last year we celebrated our fifth musical production with 33 actors, seven actors achieving a level of confidence to perform without a stage shadow. We think this year’s production of Disney’s 'Frozen Jr.' will bring in our biggest audiences yet.”
Info: CDAACT.com
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