Thank You from Our Founders

Edit (by Tessa Gaffney): For almost ten years, CADA co-founders, Wendy Duke and Laura Valendza, proved themselves to be adaptable and insightful leaders, their methods resulting in excellent word-of-mouth referrals and long-term students becoming teachers themselves. CADA had a loyal following and served many children on the spectrum into adulthood, in several locations across Akron, and eventually, online to individuals as far away as India. Because of our new reach, CADA has expanded its audience and its staff, allowing both founders to step away from day-to-day operations. An era has ended.

But a new one is beginning! We are offering both virtual AND in-person classes, going back to our roots at the Balch Street Theatre. We are kicking off the Inclusive Chatter Network, a new media broadcast project offering paid professional development to neurodiverse content creators.

Dear Friends of CADA,

“Entrances and Exits” is an improv game that teaches players the importance of sensing the best moment to enter the stage, play a scene with others and then make an exit. It is time for me to follow Laura and make my exit from the Center for Applied Drama and Autism (CADA).

When Laura Valendza and I began the work that led to the formation of CADA, we had no idea what was ahead of us. We believed that the work of applying drama-based training to empower individuals of all abilities was essential and would provide positive experiences for all involved. Over the past ten years, we have found joy in working with people of all ages, encouraging growth and creativity in students, staff and the artists who joined us along the way.

We are both proud of all our accomplishments, but keenly aware that the organization will need to change and adapt as it moves into a model that serves both our online and local communities. This is the task for a younger generation of leaders with fresh ideas and creative plans. We know that the current staff is more than capable to handle decision-making moving forward.

We wish all the best to CADA’s staff as they move forward.  We give thanks to all the board members, current and past, who have backed us through the many moves and challenges. Thanks to all our supporters online and in the community who have made our work possible over the years. And most of all, thanks to our students who taught us more than they will ever realize! We hope you all will continue to participate, follow CADA on social media, and donate to the cause here.

Sincerely,

Wendy S. Duke & Laura Valendza