On March 20th, 2024, Variety KC launched their third book teaching about disabilities and inclusion, “Variety Tales: Aubrey’s Dream.” This special celebration included Tony Award-winning actress, Ali Stroker, who talked about accessibility and inclusion to Variety Kids.
Follow along with Aubrey’s story and dream of performing on stage and watch how Mr. Heart helps bring her dream to life. The foreword was written by Ali Stroker.
This magical day started with a visit to Corinth Elementary School. At the all-school assembly, Ali and Aubrey talk to the students, sharing stories about their disabilities, experiences, and how they have overcome obstacles and barriers to achieve their dreams of performing. Ali read the book to the school and then answered questions posed by some of the students.
The book launch party was held at Starlight Theatre where Ali spoke to Variety Kids on inclusion, accessibility, and achieving your goals.
Ali Stroker is a Tony Award winner for her role as ‘Ado Annie’ in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! She made history as the first actor in a wheelchair to appear on Broadway in Deaf West’s acclaimed 2015 revival of Spring Awakening. She’s a series regular in the Netflix series, Echoes, and starred in the Lifetime holiday film, Christmas Ever After. Ali recurred in the final season of Netflix’s Ozark and is recurring in Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building. Her mission to improve the lives of others through the arts is captured in her motto: “Turning Your Limitations Into Your Opportunities.”
Aubrey was born with Merosin Deficient Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD), a disease that causes muscle weakness. Most people with CMD, Aubrey included, use a wheelchair to get around. Because of Aubrey’s CMD, there are many activities that are difficult for her to participate in. Ever since she was little, Aubrey was interested in singing and acting. However, she always pushed the idea of being on stage to the side because she never thought there would be a place on stage for someone who looked like her. When she started high school, she found a theater company, Spinning Tree, where she felt totally comfortable with herself.
Why buy this book? Every classroom, church, and home library should have this book to help teach the fundamentals of inclusion in a relatable way. People with disabilities make up 26% of our community which is the largest single minority in the population!
This is the third inspirational series of inclusive stories, and Variety KC has continued plans to launch a new book every Spring and Fall. The fourth book, Variety Tales: Brooks’ Dream will be available soon.
You can purchase Variety Tales: Aubrey’s Dream, Variety Tales: Maddox’s Dream, and Variety Tales: Kaden’s Dream through Amazon.com, and hopefully soon the book will be available in even more local retail stores throughout Kansas City.
A special thanks to the Meyer family for underwriting this book.
