The American dream is to be famous.
Certain people might think that it is to live with a white fence and 2.5 kids, but let's be honest: Americans dream about becoming celebrities.
Every person in America should be allowed to follow this dream... including the mentally handicapped. Thanks to a group called the Famous People Players, many adults with mental disabilities have been given this opportunity.
Since 1974, these exceptional performers have been traveling and presenting their unique kind of theatre to the world. A former puppeteer named Diane Dupuy founded it. After establishing herself as an extraordinary puppeteer, Dupuy was searching for a little more. In an astounding turn of events that must have been crafted at the workbench of a higher power, Dupuy met Bill Cosby.
Like he has done for so many people around the world, The Coz was able to help Dupuy. He suggested that she try experimenting with black light theatre. Shortly thereafter, she did just that. She also invited a surprising group of individuals to join her.
According to the Famous People Player website, Dupuy decided to combine her two interests: working in the theatre and helping handicapped people. Today, the Famous People Players have their own dinner theatre and travel the globe performing for audiences.
Their story was the focus of an episode of the WB's hit television show, "7th Heaven." In the episode, a developmentally challenged man named Paul wanted to break away from his controlling brother and be a star. He didn't have the courage to do it on his own, so he turned to Lucy and the rest of the Camden Clan. With the help of Lucy and her exceptional dad (The Rev, as I like to call him), Paul was able to break free from his family and join the Famous People Players.
The episode featured a cameo from Dupuy. In her short but poignant scene, Dupuy delivered one of the most memorable lines that I have ever heard on television.
Dupuy said, "When I told people that I wanted to start a black light puppet show run completely by the developmentally challenged, there were some skeptics."
When ASU business sophomore Ken Lewandowski heard of the group he responded, "What seems to be the problem?"
"Mentally challenged people dancing around in the dark with neon lights strapped to their heads. What could possibly go wrong?" Lewandowski asked. "I can't see who would think this is a bad idea."
There aren't enough groups out there like the Famous People Players. A lot of people have become complacent with the Special Olympics to provide the 15 minutes of fame for the mentally challenged. But is that enough?
Not everyone in the world is an Alan Iverson, Mike Tyson or Terrell Owens. We're not all athletes, so why should we base the only opportunity for the mentally disabled to shine on Olympic events like track and field, basketball and table tennis?
Organizations like the Famous People Players that allow the mentally disabled to perform onstage should be engrained in our culture like beer, hamburgers, apple pie and American Idol. When I read down the list of future events, I want to see black light puppet shows, open mic nights, talent competitions and poetry readings for the mentally disabled. Why shouldn't there be events like these?
Then again, why should the mentally disabled be separated from the rest of society? What makes a person like Halle Barry so much better than someone like Paul? Both have challenges in their lives that they have to overcome. On one hand, Halle Barry has to live with divorces, marriages, her abusive childhood, car-crashing mishaps, gorillas and what she'll wear to the next movie premiere.
On the other hand, a person like Paul has to deal with society's judgmental nature, his disabilities and other assorted things that make him the exceptional person that he is.
While the rest of America sits back and waits for organizations like the Famous People Players to formulate, why doesn't ASU invite the group to perform at Gammage? If the rest of the country won't watch these famous people play, the students of ASU should set an example.
Instead of guest lecturers that speak on the war in Iraq, Associated Students of ASU should bring the Famous People Players to us. Instead of the hottest up-and-coming bands, shouldn't we be demanding that Hoodlums brings this dazzling show to Union Stage?
The American dream should not be out of anyone's reach, and this is one opportunity to help that dream come true for a deserving group of individuals. For more information on the Famous People Players visit their website www.fpp.org.
Chris Fanning is a journalism sophomore. Reach him at christopher.fanning@asu.edu.
