Lights, Camera, Confidence! Nicole Achieves Her Dream in Arms Wide Open's Beetlejuice
- Ginger Cohen - TMI Director of Corporate Communications
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
At Toward Maximum Independence (TMI), a nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, we are committed to supporting every client to pursue their passions and achieve their maximum potential. We are excited to celebrate our client, Nicole, who is performing in the Arms Wide Open (AWO) Inspire production of the hit musical, Beetlejuice, at The Old Town Theatre in San Diego! Nicole's journey to the stage is a shining example of how dedication, community involvement, and strong support can lead to incredible personal triumphs.
Embracing the Spotlight with Arms Wide Open
(Nicole and Kara Lee "Delia" after the show, Nicole backstage with cast members and with her SWAT hat)
Nicole has always loved to perform, a passion that began when she sang in her high school choir. Her involvement with AWO evolved from this passion when San Diego Regional Center introduced her to the organization. For the past two years, she has been singing with AWO. The Beetlejuice production, however, marked a significant new milestone—it was her first time stepping onto the stage to both sing and dance! The groundbreaking AWO Inspire program creates an inclusive theatre arts community where individuals of all abilities come together, showcasing that talent knows no bounds. Nicole’s enthusiasm for this new challenge was palpable; she truly loves every moment of it!
(Nicole performing with the outstanding cast!)
Cultivating Independence with TMI
Nicole, who has been a valued TMI client since January 2020, is with the TMI Community Integration Training Program (CITP), a service designed to help our clients develop the skills needed to live more independently and actively participate in their communities.
Through the CITP program, Nicole is currently working on four key Individual Program Plan (IPP) objectives: health, fitness, vocational, and communication, to help her build a foundation of skills that make her successful both on and off the stage.
The Heart of TMI: Dedicated Support from Miriam Inda
Nicole’s confidence in taking on new ventures like performing in a major production is significantly bolstered by the consistent, caring support she receives from her TMI Direct Support Professional (DSP), Miriam Inda, who helped to ensure that Nicole attended rehearsals regularly, learned her roles, and became an active and enthusiastic member of the cast.
Miriam has been working with Nicole for more than four years. They have built a trusting and effective partnership. Miriam’s support is focused on helping Nicole become more independent and self-assured in her daily life and to develop her skills to do more things on her own. This foundational work in confidence-building is what allowed Nicole to step outside her comfort zone and flourish in Beetlejuice!
A Full and Vibrant Life
When the curtains close, Nicole is a dedicated family member who enjoys making cherished memories on family vacations. She is especially fond of her toddler niece. For a little quiet time, Nicole can usually be found tackling challenging jigsaw puzzles—she's a true enthusiast, refusing to take on anything under 750 pieces! She visits the library every day where she works on a puzzle with over 1,000 pieces. She sets her own goal to complete the puzzle in a week. Nicole also loves working on Diamond Dots at home and watching her favorite show, Dr. Who.
Nicole visits the YMCA twice a week where she practices her TMI objectives and occasionally takes Zumba classes. She also does volunteer services twice a week at Sonrise Church.
Nicole is already looking forward to future productions and plans to continue exploring the wonderful world of theater.
Nicole’s performance in Beetlejuice is a powerful reminder that TMI’s mission—to transform the lives of our clients—is realized every day in moments big and small. We are incredibly proud of Nicole's achievement!
Congratulations to the entire Beetlejuice cast and crew, led by Producer/Director Christopher Rubio, on a phenomenal production which resulted in a well-deserved standing ovation! The show has a few remaining performances until October 31, please contact the AWO box office at (619) 579-6197 to inquire about tickets.
(Thank you to Miriam for contributing to this story. We extend our deepest gratitude for her dedication!)
Arms Wide Open Inspire is an inclusive theatre arts program designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and community among individuals from diverse and often underrepresented backgrounds. The program aims to create a welcoming, inclusive space where participants of all ages, abilities, races, genders, and socioeconomic statuses can explore the transformative power of theatre. Whether a participant is a seasoned performer or someone stepping into the world of theatre for the first time, Inspire provides the tools, support, and opportunities needed to unlock their potential and amplify their voice.
For a list of upcoming not-to-be-missed AWO productions or to get involved, be sure to visit their website: https://www.armswideopensd.com/
Founded in 1981, Toward Maximum Independence (TMI) is a nonprofit organization, serving San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties, that is dedicated to transforming the lives of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and veterans with disabilities. TMI strives to help our clients to realize their hopes and dreams by providing Employment Solutions, Community Living Services and Family Support Services. To stay connected with us, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. Together we can share acceptance and awareness, ultimately contributing to further inclusion. Please consider making a donation to assist us with transforming lives for many more years to come. We thank you in advance! Tax ID# 33-0185759