This week we chatted with Andy O’Rourke! He shares his favorite place in the city to visit in the fall, his passion for theater, and introduces his new venture, All Abilities Productions, which is a non-profit with a mission to encourage all people — regardless of disability, race, religion, age, or gender — to participate in theater.
Tell us about yourself.
Hi, I’m Andy O’Rourke! I’m 22 years old. I’ve lived in Glens Falls my whole life. I live at home with my parents and our two cats.
I’m a graduate of Glens Falls High School (class of 2019) and SUNY Adirondack (class of 2021). I’m currently a student at Empire State College. I’m getting my BFA in Theatre and Music Education, as well as Non Profit Management. I’ve been involved with several theater productions in the area, including Glens Falls High School, Broadway Upstate, and Lighthouse Productions.
I’m also the Founder, Executive Producer, and Artistic Director of All Abilities Productions. It was founded in April 2022 because I got tired of getting rejected in auditions for musicals because of my disability. I have cerebral palsy. One night, I couldn’t sleep, and at 3am I thought to myself, “I’m going to change this. I’m going to create a nonprofit for people of all abilities to be on stage.”
I’d like to do a full season each year opposite all of the other art companies in the area. In 2024, when I’m done with school, we’re going to kick off our first season, which will include two full scale musicals. We have our first in-person event and fundraiser on November 13 at The Park Theater. There will be a screening of the Oscar proposed film My Disability Roadmap and an opportunity to participate in a brief discussion about the movie and challenges faced by those that are a part of the disabled community. We’ll then introduce All Abilities Productions and its mission to the community. [Click here for event details.]
While I have a disability, I haven’t ever let that stop me. If there’s anyone out there in the same boat, I’d like to encourage them to just go for their goals. Just do it. If you’re going to fail, you’re going to fail, but you’ll get back up, and eventually you’ll succeed. I’ve been lucky in that I have a supportive family to encourage me along the way. I’d also like to thank Tracy Sullivan, Miriam Weisfeld, and Elizabeth Pietrangelo from the Adirondack Theater Festival, Emily Murphy from the Wood Theater, and Chris Ristau from The Park Theater for being such an inspiration to me. I could not do it without my amazing team of volunteer board and committee members. My current board members include Carol Lavelle, Amanda Taft, Sarah Driscoll, Rose Ann O’Rourke Taft, Carol Durant, Deanna Park, Amy Cronin, Carissa O’Rourke, Dylan Lucia, and Terry Kempf. I would also like to thank Kimberly Strauchon Verner, Esq. for her wonderful pro bono work.
My Perfect Glens Falls Day
It would start with a walk on the Feeder Canal trail. I love it there, especially right now with the leaves changing. It’s so peaceful. Then I’d go to Spot Coffee. I love the Coconut Lavender Lemonade. One of our production managers at Adirondack Theater Festival came up with it (thanks Jackie!). From there, I’d be volunteering at The Wood Theater. After that, I’d go to Gourmet Cafe for dinner and then to Downtown Social for Social After Dark.
I love Glens Falls. It’s such a creative hub. A couple of my other favorites are the Arts District and the Adirondack Theater Festival.
On The Past
I loved watching Glens Falls win the football and basketball championships when I was a senior in high school. Being there was so much fun.
On The Future
I would like to see All Abilities grow into a full season like the Adirondack Theater Festival to encourage all people, regardless of disability, race, religion, age, or gender to participate in theater.
Our five year plan in the off season is to work with other nonprofit organizations to provide educational programming, such as an all-inclusive dance programs or a play writing class, or an improv acting class. We hope to give our participants experiences and the confidence and skills to share who they are and all they are able to do. We want to be able to break down the preconceived notions about disabilities and build a more inclusive community. It’s important to us to create a safe and respectful environment and celebrate creativity.
