(Newswire.net — January 4, 2022) —
For Albert Voaden, every day is a new opportunity to get involved with the community he calls home. He’ll take the next opportunity to try something new. So when he got the chance to make his stage debut, he took it. Albert Voaden’s wife, Kim Voaden is the Director of Sunrise Adult Training Centre (SATC), and when it was time to cast this year’s showing of The Wizard of Oz, she knew exactly who to ask for help.
With strong family ties to the Sunrise Adult Training Centre, Voaden has been a behind-the-scenes support for this organization for many years. This past year, when the Centre needed another volunteer to assist with its annual inclusive theatre production of The Wizard of Oz, Albert knew it was time to step into the spotlight.
Leaping on stage was a real opportunity to be involved, and to make a positive difference for all involved. The Sunrise Centre provides vocational training and therapeutic day programming for adults with special needs.
Albert Voaden said he “jumped at the opportunity”, explaining, “So far, my dancing career has been limited to Soca dancing at Christmas Parties. Now I was being given the chance to perform with a talented bunch of dancers and actors in front of a live audience. The clients are stars in their own right, and I wanted to make sure we were the best tornado ever. There were so many brilliant performances onstage that night, but some would say we stole the show!”
The Sunrise Adult Training Center rolls out the red carpet
For over 35 years, the Sunrise Adult Training Center (SATC) has provided learning, development, and employment opportunities for individuals with a broad range of special needs. They’ve played a vital role in the Grand Cayman community, both in providing these services and advocating on the behalf of their clients. Seven years ago, the Center began hosting annual stage shows. In July of 2021, the Center debuted the beloved classic, The Wizard of Oz.
As explained by Sunrise Centre Staff, “This is our seventh show. Every year we work to create a truly inclusive stage – every client participates and gets a moment to shine. Performing onstage not only allows our clients to develop and showcase their talents, but builds confidence, and provides important community inclusion opportunities.”
We look forward to seeing continued success in future Theatre performances. Voaden says that if he is asked by Sunrise to play John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever, he will take it under serious consideration.