The arts are for everyone. That's why Equal Opportunities exists, an inclusive theater program that gives people with disabilities the chance to act in major stage productions. Through the collaboration of the JDC-supported Solomonika Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Dnipro and Mazal Tov JCC in Zaporizhzhia, Equal Opportunities recently staged a production of “Light in the Darkness” — a play about the challenges of living with disabilities — at the Dnipro Philharmonic. “'Equal Opportunities is a truly unique program,” Inessa N., director of JCC Mazal Tov, told us. “In the face of disability and severe illness, these actors came not in search of help, but to develop creative opportunities for everyone.” Mariana, the playwright and the production’s director of Light in the Darkness, has a disability herself, and is an active participant in Jewish life through the Mazal Tov JCC. She was inspired to write the play because of her involvement with a club for Jews with disabilities. “Despite my disability, I'd always dreamed of theater and acting,” Mariana told us. “I couldn't access the theater in a wheelchair, so I thought, 'Why not create my own?'”. At first, no one believed I'd succeed. But the power of my dream and our collective efforts proved them wrong. Though I still get nervous before each performance, I just can't stop: This is my passion.” Looking forward, Mariana wants to take the play to even more cities across Ukraine. “The play's main message is the importance of nurturing hope and mutual support, especially during challenging times," Mariana told us. “It's important to believe in the best and come out into the light. We want to give people the hope that, even when it's so dark you think you won't make it, a ray of light will always appear!”
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