Dallas-based documentary pushes the boundaries of representation

According to Oxford Languages, representation is “the action of speaking or acting on behalf of someone or the state of being so represented.” The Dallas-based documentary Into the Spotlight is an honest film that challenges this definition as its subjects, adults with disabilities, speak and act on behalf of themselves. Their neurotypical parents, caregivers and friends do not speak or act on their behalf. In the film, the commitment to agency and authenticity sets this story apart from other documentaries addressing similar subject matter.

Into the Spotlight specifically reflects the work of the Spotlight Musical Theater program, one of the many programs offered by the Belong Disability Ministry of Highland Park United Methodist Church. Belong welcomes people of all abilities, ages and faiths to be a part of an adaptive, inclusive community and offers every program at no cost.

Belong Disability Ministry began in 1999, offering a respite program for children with disabilities and their siblings once a month. Kids who attend spend an evening at the church playing games and having fun while their parents or caregivers have an evening to themselves. In 2010, Spotlight Musical Theater had its first season. This past February, Spotlight completed its 12th production. The 11th production, In Our Hearts, is the musical featured in the documentary film.

Through Spotlight Musical Theater, a group of adults with disabilities from across the Dallas-Fort Worth area gather every Saturday for six months to create, rehearse and then perform a completely original musical. This unique model of creation and performance pushes the boundaries of representation as the actors do not fit themselves into the molds of preexisting characters or plot lines. They devise their own roles and story to share with the audience. Into the Spotlight captures the vulnerable thoughts and desires of individuals who so rarely get the spotlight. Alongside the actors, a professional artistic team and volunteers work to build the script, score, choreography, costumes, set pieces and props. This team effort fuels a process and production that seek to share the messages of acceptance, resilience and humanity.

With the opportunity to speak for themselves, the Spotlight actors normalize talent and skill in a community that is often viewed as unskilled or not talented. An actor’s drumming ability, singing voice or professionalism are not miracles. These are their abilities, the pieces of who they are. Into the Spotlight provides those of us who are neurotypical with an opportunity as well — the opportunity to abandon ableist tendencies.

Into the Spotlight premiered to a full house at the Texas Theatre during the 2023 Dallas International Film Festival and received a standing ovation from the more than 600 attendees. The film was awarded the DIFF Grand Jury Prize for best Texas feature as well as the DIFF Audience Award for best documentary feature, and audiences will get another chance to see the film in June when it will be screened as part of the “BEST of DIFF 2023″ award-winner screenings at Violet Crown Cinema in West Village on June 14. Additionally, the film will make its international premiere during the Ignite Film Festival in Marlborough, U.K., on June 21.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 7% of the total population of Dallas County is under the age of 65 and living with a disability. This is a group of almost 200,000 individuals whom many neurotypical people fail to consider or appreciate.

As the director of Belong Disability Ministry, I believe that Into the Spotlight has the power to impact the hearts and minds of its neurotypical viewers as well as empower its viewers with disabilities who may not have seen actors like themselves portrayed on screen. My hope is for audience members to witness the beauty of truth and light, however comfortable or uncomfortable, that persists when people with disabilities journey into the spotlight. Their success is not a miraculous inspiration, but a possible, appreciated and attainable accomplishment.

As a neurotypical woman, I have the privilege of advocating for the community of those with disabilities. I urge my fellow neurotypical readers to take the opportunity to listen to and learn from these talented actors who are embarking on the brave work of directly representing themselves honestly and openly.

Stephanie Newland is the director of Belong Disability Ministry at Highland Park United Methodist Church. She wrote this column for The Dallas Morning News.

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