Journeys (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Journeys
Writer: "JJ," James Janis
Writer: Christy Nielsen
Writer: Ordean Stevenson
Writer: Abbigayle Wells
Writer: Assisted by Heather Pickering
Writer: Andrew Grace, Composer
Writer: Sarah Covington, Choreographer
Director: Heather Pickering
Producer: Flutter Productions
Abstract: Journeys, a theatrical production for the stage, was a collection of six independent vignettes that illustrated fictional and non-fictional journeys that individuals with disabilities have taken, or have dreamed of taking. All six journeys spanned fifty years and took places in various train, plane, and bus stations and were staged in an ambiguous passenger terminal by an all-ability cast, individuals with and without disabilities, of 23. These stories were told through both movement, and dialogue and was @45 minutes in length. This production was the second production produced by Flutter Productions written in part by individuals with disabilities, but was the first to contain dialogue. This production was the result of a weekly play writing class at Flutter Productions. The intent was to entertain and shed light on disability culture and history. Highlights included one man's journey in be turned over to an institution in the 1940s at the age of two years old, and another man's journey to a workshop setting in a different state to gain valuable life skills to become more self sufficient and independent in the 1980s. The evening also included one woman's journey from the contained classroom, to an inclusive art classroom in her high school and the positive impact she still feels decades later.
This production hosted a talk back with the audience following the performances, and a facilitated talk back with the cast about the overall process.
Year: 2017
Access Model: Ticketed Event
Format: DVD
Format: Digital File
The Chair Is Not Me (Book)
Title: The Chair Is Not Me
Author: "JJ," James Janis
Abstract: "The Chair Is Not Me," by "JJ," James Janis is a collection of twenty one poems written to inspire people to think about, learn from, and connect to people who are diversely abled. Eleven of the poems have been illustrated by a cadre of diversely abled artists.
Mr Janis realized the need to speak and teach about disabilities following an experience at a grocery store in the 1980s. A little boy shopping with his mother saw JJ and asked, "How come that man can't walk?" When his mother replied, "Be quiet. Don't bother him," JJ approached them and offered to explain his disability. he reminded the mother, "If they don't ask, they won't learn." He wanted the child to think it was okay to talk to someone with a disability. He also wants families that have children with disabilities to encourage children to find their voices, love themselves, and speak up and out about their disabilities.
James Janis, or as he is known by his friends, JJ, grew up between the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and Rapid City in South Dakota. Born with cerebral palsy complicated with several other conditions, he was only expected to live for 12 hours, but 60 years later he is still here! Previously his work was published in a collection of poems: "Ashes and Chuckles," in 1981. Several of his poems have been featured in world premier productions by Flutter Productions. Writing is one of the things that sets JJ free from his disabilities and allows him to escape. in addition to writing, he has always been interested in the office of the President of the United States because his grandmother, Ellen Janis, worked on JFK's campaign to feed people. Following in her footsteps, he recently became one of the newest members off the A-Team Black Hills, which advocates for the rights of the disabled. In his spare time he leads an Elvis fan club. He can be found on Twitter and Facebook under JJ, James Janis, Writer.
His book was also turned into a touring art show following publication.
Year: 2018
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw8LG25Bj4g
Primary URL Description: An informal video journal was kept during the writing and publishing process. Here is a clip of "JJ," James Janis receiving the very first copy of his book. This video is currently posted on the Flutter Productions channel on YouTube. YouTube is a website that allows professionals, amateurs, and organizations to create, upload and view videos.
Secondary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX5Qx46JrZo
Secondary URL Description: An informal video journal was kept during the writing and publishing process. Here is a collection of some clips from the informal video journal of "JJ," James Janis talking about his book, the illustrators, and the impact that the illustrators had on him during the process. This informal video also contains clips of several of the illustrators working on the pieces in the book. This video is currently posted on the Flutter Productions channel on YouTube. YouTube is a website that allows professionals, amateurs, and organizations to create, upload and view videos.
Access Model: Purchase
Publisher: Flutter Productions
Type: Single author monograph
ISBN: 9780578203690
Copy sent to NEH?: Yes
Zenith (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Zenith
Writer: Heather Pickering, Writer
Writer: Andrew Grace, Composer
Writer: Sara Olivier, Choreographer
Director: Heather Pickering
Producer: Flutter Productions
Abstract: Zenith was an all-ability (individuals with and without disabilities) dance theatre production performed by a cast of 31 individuals on June 29 & 30, 2018 in the Historic Theater at the Performing Arts Center of Rapid City.
This production hosted a talk back with the audience following the performances, and a facilitated talk back with the cast about the overall process.
The story centered on Mira, the daughter of a famous astronomer, who yearns to study the stars in a time where females are not permitted in higher studies. Guided by the fates, she sneaks into her father's laboratory at night to study the stars nonetheless. She discovers the first black hole. She then disguises herself to present her finding to the male scholars who initially applaud the finding, but upon discovering that she is a woman, reject it. Her father finds a different way to present her finding, and brings the male scholars around to listening to her. She is then permitted into the lecture hall and accepted as a teacher making history as the first woman to do so.
Year: 2018
Access Model: Ticket
Format: DVD
Format: Other
Able: The Disability Chronicles - Touring Production (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Able: The Disability Chronicles - Touring Production
Writer: Rhonda Grant
Writer: "JJ," James Janis
Writer: Heather Morris
Writer: Anne Marie Wilson
Writer: Assisted by Heather Pickering
Director: Heather Pickering
Producer: Flutter Productions
Abstract: ABLE: The Disability Chronicles was a series of contemporary dance and spoke word vignettes written by individuals with disabilities and those that support them about disabilities and disability culture. The production was originally produced in 2016, and in 2018 it was restructured to suit a smaller cast that could tour throughout the state of South Dakota. In 2016 it was the first production in the state of South Dakota to be written and performed in part by individuals with disabilities.
This production hosted a talk back with the audience following the performances, and a facilitated talk back with the cast about the overall process.
Funding to make touring possible was provided in part by a Touring Artist Grant from the South Dakota Arts Council. The touring version of this production featured an all-ability (individuals with and without disabilities) cast of twelve individuals that performed twelve pieces.
The production contained the following themes: The lasting impacts and effects of labeling, Necessary devices, processes, and medications that assist, but also unintentionally diminish, Society's perception of diversely-abled individuals, The acceptance and normalization of individuals with disabilities, Communication and the importance of one-on-one interactions, Down syndrome, The experience of one person with autism, Overcoming challenges in pursuit of a goal, and The importance of opening doors in the world for others.
The production was first performed at the University of Sioux Falls, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to an audience of students studying to become future educators, social workers, performing arts artists, lawyers, and psychologists. The second performance was performed for the state disability conference hosted by the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and Center for Disabilities.
Year: 2018
Access Model: Tickets
Format: Other
FashionABLE 2019 (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: FashionABLE 2019
Writer: Manika Boheman-gehl
Writer: Brandon Schlaht
Writer: Shawn Stratton
Writer: Alyssa Flannery
Writer: Tommy Tamayo
Writer: Tyler Brink
Writer: Ordean Stevenson
Writer: Aaron Flack
Writer: Rebecca Graham
Writer: Jill Holien
Writer: Chloe Baldwin
Writer: Zackery Wilson
Writer: Angel Sumrall
Writer: Josh Dvorak
Writer: Rachel Grant
Director: Heather Pickering
Producer: Flutter Productions
Abstract: Fifteen designers with diverse abilities were partnered one-on-one with a volunteer from the community to bring their original fashion design to fruition. The teams worked together once a week for six weeks which culminated in a fashion show for the public. Flutter Productions partnered with Jolly Lane Greenhouse, who hosted the fashion show in their Rose House. In addition to the partnership with Jolly Lane Greenhouse we partnered with Prima School of Dancing who selected several pieces to create introductory dances to on the runway.
This production hosted a facilitated talk back with the designers and volunteers about the overall process.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8a77ed3wgo
Primary URL Description: The 2019 FashionABLE highlights were posted following the event to view, free of charge on YouTube. YouTube is a website that allows professionals and amateurs alike the ability to create, upload, and view videos.
Access Model: Ticketed Event
Format: DVD
Format: Web
Format: Other
The Chair Is Not Me Touring Art Show (Exhibition)
Title: The Chair Is Not Me Touring Art Show
Curator: Heather Pickering
Abstract: The Chair is Not Me art show springs from is a collection of poems, written by, “JJ,” James Janis, in partnership with Flutter Productions, to inspire people to think about, learn from, and connect to people who are diversely abled. JJ realized the need to speak and teach about disabilities following an experience at a grocery store in the 1980s. A little boy shopping with his mother saw JJ and asked, “How come that man can’t walk?” When his mother replied, “Be quiet. Don’t bother him,” JJ approached them and offered to explain his disability. He reminded the mother, “If they don’t ask, they won’t learn.” He wanted the child to think it was okay to talk to someone with a disability. He also wants families that have children with disabilities to encourage children to find their voices, love themselves, and speak up and out about their disabilities.The book features 21 poems and 11 illustrations, and was illustrated by a cadre of artists of diverse abilities and cultures, including: Brian Bertsch, Lee Fire Cloud, Aaron Flack, Barbara Heagy, Darleen Jealous of Him, Hoksila Long, Christy Nielsen, Sapphire Simmons, Shawn Stratton, and John Summers. The show features 11 illustrations and poems from the book. The show is free to the general public.The touring art show has been made possible by a Building Humanities Communities Challenge Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and The Perfect Hanging Gallery in Rapid City, SD.James Janis, or as he is known by his friends, JJ, grew up between the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and Rapid City in South Dakota. Born with cerebral palsy complicated with several other conditions, he was only expected to live for 12 hours, but 60 years later he is still here!
The art show hosted a talk back with the viewers at the opening receptions, and a facilitated talk back with the writer about the overall process. A video journal was created as he wrote the book.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0oWRfZxCKs
Primary URL Description: This video was created in 2020 showing clips from the writing process, illustration process, and the first three art shows in 2018 and 2020.
This video is currently posted on YouTube. YouTube is a website that allows professionals, amateurs, and organizations to create, post, and view videos on the internet.
CoRPoREAL (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: CoRPoREAL
Writer: Heather Pickering, Writer
Writer: Andrew Grace, Composer
Writer: Ordean Stevenson, Writer
Director: Heather Pickering
Producer: Flutter Productions
Abstract: CoRPoREAL was an original all-ability (individuals with and without disabilities) dance theatre production based in contemporary dance. Performed by a cast of 30 individuals in the Studio Theater at the Performing Arts Center of Rapid City on June 27, 28 and 29, 2019. The production was written in part by the Flutter Productions Play Writing class with Heather Pickering.
A facilitated conversation was held with the cast and crew following this production.
The production, featuring original music composed by Andrew Grace, and choreography by Sara Olivier, explored the depths of connectivity to everything inside our body, and how a physical sickness can also be caused by more than a virus or bacteria. No one thing operates independently –everything is connected to, or reliant upon, something else, thus the strings you will see throughout our production this evening. One thing that we discovered is the importance of human touch and the physical and mental benefits that we receive every time we connect with another person through touch, a handshake, or a welcomed hug. Through our explorations, ideas, personal life experiences, and a few poems, CoRPoREAL was born. CoRPoREAL also hosted two designers with disabilities who designed select costumes that reflected and extended their artistic pursuits as visual artists at the Suzie Cappa Art Center.
Year: 2019
Access Model: Ticketed Event
Format: DVD
Format: Other
Evaluation on the Impact of All-Ability Performing Arts on a Community (Report)
Title: Evaluation on the Impact of All-Ability Performing Arts on a Community
Author: John R. Johnson, Ph.D Research and Development Director, USD
Author: Heather Pickering, Artistic Director, Flutter Productions
Author: Dr. Jake Cummings
Author: Kristin Berg
Author: Natalia Davila
Author: Dr. Jonathon A MeDrano
Author: Wendy Parent-Johnson, Ph.D, CRC, CESP
Abstract: In collaboration with the University of South Dakota Center for Disabilities (CFD),Black Hills Works and specifically, Flutter Productions initiated an evaluation plan using the principles of empowerment evaluation. This report contains summaries of activities which Flutter Productions has invested in and executed throughout the great Rapid City and Sioux Falls areas. Attachments to this report include data results gathered for this project.The overarching mission of Flutter Productions and the NEH project offer opportunities for people with disabilities to be fully included in community plays with performers who do not have a disability. These performances include theatre, dance poetry readings, and other contemporary performing arts productions; all of which all of which provide participants with opportunities to exercise their artistic talents.Facilitated conversations are conversations that allowed the facilitator to promote and probe respondents for information about the experiences as participants in Flutter Productions. The results of these conversations were revealing about the challenges, struggles, accomplishments and connections that all participants experienced. Conversations were recorded by both Center for Disabilities staff and Ms. Heather Pickering. The conversations were transcribed and emergent themes were identified by Center for Disabilities evaluation staff. While the transcribed data included numerous comments from persons with and without disabilities in different roles, we identified seven themes that that facilitated conversation participants frequently We organized them in the following thematic categories1.Finding a Voice 2.Changing Expectations3.Inclusive Cast 4.Friendship & Belonging 5.“It's Ok to be Different...and It’s Definitely OK to Not Fit In” 6.It’s About Community Leaders 7. The Creativity of Adapting to the Performer
Date: 04/16/2020
Primary URL: https://youtu.be/HTJS0rxxHik
Primary URL Description: YouTube is a website that allows professionals, organizations, and amateurs the opportunity to create, upload, and view videos. This link is an Unlisted Link, only those who have the link can view it, and it is not intended for general public viewing.
This video is just a small sampling of many interviews and facilitated conversations conducted by Flutter Productions with cast members, staff, and audience members from 2017 - 2020. The clips in this video reflect a portion of the program evaluation conducted from a three year evaluation of the all-ability dance theatre program conducted by the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and Center for Disabilities, and Flutter Productions, funded in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The evaluation explores the effects and benefits of all-ability arts with individuals with disabilities as the center of a nexus that includes: community members, audience members, volunteers, and staff.
Access Model: Open Access
ISBN: 000000000000