The ACAP PlayMakers
The ACAP PlayMakers are an inclusive theatre troupe that is partnered by ACAP and the Waukesha Civic Theatre. This partnership provides ACAP members and other community participants an inclusive, informative, and exciting theater experience. Typically, the ACAP PlayMakers perform three shows each year. Performances are hosted at the Waukesha Civic Theatre in downtown Waukesha.
ACAP Playmakers began as a seed. ACAP was asked to plan the entertainment activities (as well as the food) for an annual advocacy event which honored self-advocates from around Waukesha County. ACAP would plan a skit or create a song for the evening, which were enjoyed by the attendees. Later, ACAP staff invited Milwaukee Public Theatre founder, Barbara Leigh, to do a 4-week theatre class for members. It was repeated the next year.
Next the ACAP staff in charge of advocacy opportunities began bringing individual members to schools to give disability awareness talks to students. That's where the idea for an educational/entertainment component began. ACAP formed a small theatre troupe and got a grant to bring it and some simple routines to schools. After doing that for three years in grade schools and summer playground programs, we reached out to the Waukesha Civic Theatre to discuss possible collaboration on a project. It just so happened at the time, the Theatre was in need of a replacement team to run their PlayMakers group (which was a volunteer group from the theatre that created and performed homegrown scripts based on school curriculum). They offered ACAP the position of running the program for the Theatre and the ACAP PlayMakers group was born.
Since its initial performance in 2006, the ACAP PlayMakers have performed every year at the theatre (with the exception of 2020 due to the pandemic). In 2011 a second production was added to the annual event. In 2014, a third production was added annually. In 2017 ACAP PlayMakers added ACAP FilmMakers to its repertoire, producing such films as The Last Leaf and The Cop and the Anthem by O. Henry, the Flintstones movie, and a parody on the Wright Brothers, titled "Higher & Higher." These films as with the stage productions feature an inclusive cast and highlight people with disabilities as serious performers.
The ACAP PlayMakers specialize in musical comedies in the form of parodies. Titles include: Wizard of Oz--Unplugged, The Emperor's New Tuxedo, Pirates of Pizzazz, Hero of Holland, Cinderella's Fella, Tortoise & the Hare-the Rematch, Tempest Island, Greece Lightning, Snow White & the Magnificent Seven, Legend of William Tell, Darn Yankees, The ACAP Show of Shows, and Disability--The Evolution.
2021 PlayMakers Schedule (Coming Soon!)
