Our History

Dreamstreet began in 1995 as a Friday night recreational program sponsored by YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities: a place to go for young adults with disabilities. In those early days, games developed trust and out of trust came spontaneity and the beginning of dreams. The group moved on to lunchroom talent shows where it became clear which individuals were drawn to dancing, to acting, to clowning or to poetry. Gradually some of these young adults found their maximum vehicle for self-expression and increased their proficiency, ambition and self-esteem. Encouraged and supported by their director Karuna Heisler they dared to dream of becoming a theater company and entering an area traditionally closed to those with developmental disabilities. As they honed their skills and began to perform they developed pride in their ability to affect their audience and attract a following. They became new role models for the community of “different thinkers” and their families.

From those beginnings the Dreamstreet talent show has developed into a multitude of musical theatre productions of poetry, dance, music and mime. In addition to a core cast of a dozen people with disabilities, Dreamstreet has established a large community service program welcoming high school and college students, to join in performances, teach, choreograph and act as the crew. Dreamstreet has also attracted an outstanding group of professional community artists, writers, musicians, family members and other friends who generously volunteer their services and find themselves receiving as much as they give. The company has developed a large repertoire of original materials and unique adaptations. Over the years Dreamstreet Theater artists have performed/appeared in:

– The Central Park Bandshell
– The Tribeca Film Festival
– Disabilities Awareness Month, at City Hall,
– The Columbia Presbyterian Hospital: The show was transmitted to the television sets of all of the children in their hospital bedrooms.
– Sesame Street Workshop
– Madison Square Garden, at the Liberty Games
– The set of Law and Order and NYPD Blue

Dreamstreet has begun to offer "playshops" in dance/theater performance to youths and adults who have disabilities. The classes are a kind of laboratory providing a safe and stimulating environment for exploration, self-expression and skill building.

Dreamstreet looks forward to the continued growth and development of our core activities and also looks forward to the opportunity to expand this work to reach the large segment of the disability community, still denied a chance to dream.