LISTEN: Jerry’s Habima Theatre celebrates 30 years of inclusive casting with 'Cinderella' production

Actors and crew at are preparing for opening night of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella at Jerry's Habima Theatre in Atlanta. This year is the 30th anniversary of the Marcus Jewish Community Center program, which brings actors with disabilities to lead roles on stage.

Patrick Robinson plays the role of the King in the production. He said when he first heard about the casting call, he was nervous.

“King is a very different role for me,” Robinson said. "I've always played more of a comedic kind of role."

But he kept a positive outlook on the change.

“I think it's cool because it shows that, I mean, the directors trusted me.”

Caption

Patrick Robinson looks over the food in the kingdom during a rehearsal March 2, 2023, of his role as the King in "Cinderella." It's Robinson's 10th season with Jerry's Habima Theatre.

Credit: Amanda Andrews / GPB News

Director Matt McCubbin has been working on Jerry’s Habima productions for three years. He works on casting as well as choreography and said the moves are about storytelling but also ensuring actors are comfortable.

“In a lot of ways, it probably would sound like occupational therapy, maybe, to some, or physical therapy for other people, because it really is about finding ways for them to use their bodies,” he said.

Kim Goodfriend has been working with Jerry’s Habima Theatre since it began 30 years ago. She said the work the group does to make production accessible to actors with disabilities isn’t special.

“Some people struggle to read and so we teach by rote,” she said. “Club feet? Okay. We're going to figure out a way to help you move so that you will look and feel beautiful on stage. That's a human thing. That's not a disabilities thing.”

Cinderella opens Thursday, March 9. The sold-out show runs for two weekends and closes with two performances on Sunday, March 19.