In Aurora, young adults with special needs say ‘Yes, and …’ to improv

From the outside, on a cold January morning, the Bit Theatre in Aurora looks sterile. But inside, it’s warm, buzzing and full of families awaiting the start of an exclusive improv performance.

This show, a partnership between The Bit Theatre and Awesome Life Academy, is being staged for an audience of young adults with special needs.

“Sometimes, when you’re in an audience and you bring somebody in, they might be too loud, or they might laugh inappropriately, or something like that,” Jennifer Monroy, an audience member and the mom of an Awesome Life participant, said. “Here, these guys can just be themselves, be silly, and feel relaxed and just have fun.”

Activities like the improv show are an opportunity for Awesome Life participants to get out of the house, be social and make friends. The organization, based in Naperville, is a nonprofit serving young people with Down syndrome, autism and other special needs, who have “aged out” of services from public schools. It also aims to provide participants with skills to help them find and maintain employment.

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