July Bulletin

Barrier-Free Buzz

Inclusive Theater Season Returns!

We're back!! Our Inclusive Theater season kicks off in September where we will work collaboratively to create ALL-NEW, ORIGINAL musicals!

We will once again be performing on stage, for a live audience in March 2022 at McDaniel College.

Inclusive Theater Company A has 6 spots remaining.

Inclusive Theater Company B is FULL but join our Waiting List.

​In some instances, you may join BOTH groups if you have a dual diagnosis.

Click here to learn more about our drama-therapy-based, Inclusive Theater process.

Upcoming Events

Join us at an upcoming event to meet our Barrier-Free"ers" and support their work by purchasing art pieces, enjoying a performance, or allowing us to share about Barrier-Free's work and mission.

Click any image below to learn more!

MAKE STUDIO Collaboration

We are thrilled to share that Make Studio has invited Barrier-Free to submit art pieces for inclusion in the upcoming exhibit - Cordially Invited V.

In the Community

Our Barrier-Free”ers” have been busy connecting with our community!

This month we participated in the Let Freedom Ring Parade in Downtown Sykesville, visited the Howard County Center for the Arts, welcomed Serrina Davis of Damara Yoga, enjoyed Spongebob the Musical at Toby’s Dinner Theater, and have been watering & caring for the Eileen M. Merkle Community Garden in Downtown Sykesville.

New Group - OUT Loud

Seeking Interns!

Barrier-Free is seeking undergraduate or graduate interns to join our Inclusive Theater Companies beginning September 2022. Our internships provide college students hands-on, immersive experience with drama therapy work in the disability field.

Community News

Thank you for you support!

Pictured: Jackson & Jenny taking a selfie at The Life Skills & Social Studio

Inclusive Theater Season Returns!

Barrier-Free in the Community

Join us at an upcoming event to meet our Barrier-Free"ers" and support their work by purchasing art pieces or allowing us to share about Barrier-Free's work and mission.

Community events allow us to be visible and integrated into our community while putting our life skills and social skills to good use!

Click any image below to learn more!

Celebrating Milestones

The Life Skills & Social Studio in Downtown Sykesville celebrates its one year anniversary this month!

Movin’ On Up!

We are excited to share that we have three fantastic team members accepting new roles within Barrier-Free!

Marie joined us all the way from Iowa as a Graduate Intern studying Drama Therapy in September of 2021. Marie dove head first into all things Barrier-Free and has become an integral part of our entire organization's success. We are thrilled to promote her to Assistant Director Co. A & B for the 2022 - 2023 theater season!

Kelsey has been bringing her creative A-game and inclusive leadership to the table for the past six years at Barrier-Free. After years spent as a mentor, assistant director, and teaching artist, Kelsey will now be taking on her largest role yet - Director of Company A!

Aaron is an attendee of Barrier-Free’s Life Skills and Social Studio, as well as an actor in Inclusive Theater Company B. They are passionate about advocacy for the neurodiverse and disabled communities, making them the perfect fit to be our assistant for OUT Loud and a Peer Mentor within Barrier-Free.

Join us in congratulating Marie, Kelsey, and Aaron on their new roles!

New Group - OUT Loud

Jam Sessions & Mayor Link

Come rock out with Music Mike and crew on Sundays for fun-filled jam sessions! Mayor Stacy Link and her sister Jennifer recently stopped by and LOVED it!

Fresh off the press - Barrier-Free is featured in the June/July issue of Carroll Magazine!

We are thankful to the Carroll Magazine team for recognizing the inclusive strides we are making in the community.

Pictured: Barrier-Free crew with Dana Alonzi, Downtown Sykesville Board President, and Mayor Stacy Link at Sykesville Pride.

Celebrating Autism Awareness Month

Performance Photo Galleries

A BIG thank you to Mort Shuman for expertly capturing our Saturday, March 19th performances!

THANK YOU!

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

27 days, three phenomenal performances, over 80 unique donors, and two matching donors, we have raised $20,104 for our Purple Bucket Campaign.

Thank you for helping us keep our programs affordable and accessible. Thank you for supporting our mission. Thank you for supporting inclusion.

15th Annual PEEPshow!

The 15th Annual PEEPshow opens TODAY April 8 - 18 at The TownMall of Westminster!

Please vote online or in-person for Barrier-Free's submission "S'mores Wars” made by our Studio members!

This sweet fundraising event features marshmallow masterpieces all crafted from or inspired by PEEPS®. You can view the entries for free and buy votes for your favorites, with all proceeds benefiting the Arts Council.

Barrier-Free is proud to be funded in part by a Community Arts Development grant from the Carroll County Arts Council.

Virtual Info Session

Join us on Zoom Tuesday, April 19th at 6:15pm to learn about Barrier-Free's Life Skills & Social Studio, NEW Music Studio offerings, and Expressive Arts Classes.

Current and prospective Barrier-Free"ers" are encouraged to attend as well as community members seeking to learn more about Barrier-Free.

Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

NEW - Barrier-Free Music Studio

Mike Morton, aka "Music Mike," Barrier-Free’s beloved Music Director is proud to present Barrier-Free’s Music Studio!

Music is a universal language that anyone can understand, and at the Barrier-Free Music Studio our goal is to make music accessible to everyone! We offer musical classes, lessons, and support for people of all abilities, with a focus on self expression and gaining self-confidence in your own voice. Music is an amazing way to break down the barriers that divide us.

Music Mike will be offering Music & Mentorship private lessons and Jam Sessions at The Music Studio located at 7520 Main St #103 Sykesville, MD 21784 on Sundays.

Click Below to see a Jam Session Sneak Peek

Summer Classes Now Enrolling!

All Summer classes will be offered IN-PERSON. Please check class details for the location.

BUNDLE & SAVE - click “Learn More” on any class.

​Currently Barrier-Free is not offering any virtual programming.

Join us at the Art & Wine Festival

Highlights from S’mores Wars at McDaniel College Theater!

Join us for S’mores Wars & One Star Resort!

Join us March 12 & 13 2022 for the premiere of S'mores Wars & One Star Resort, LIVE & IN PERSON!

First, join us on Sweet Retreat Isle for the S'mores Wars competition! Reigning champion, Flamin' Roger, and his group of campfire friends will be coaching and cheering on a team of new competitors, each hoping to secure a win. Mix in a goofy airport crew, campfire songs, and WAY too much baggage for a laugh-out-loud adventure from start to finish! Ready? Set. S'mores!

Up next, what happens when a seemingly "great deal" dream island getaway turns into a vacation nightmare? You wind up at a One Star Resort complete with a bumpy shuttle service, a vegan restaurant, and a janky maintenance man named Steve. That's right. Steve. Brace for impact!

Guest Actor Cameos

Barrier-Free is thrilled to welcome Mayor Mona Becker and Mayor Stacy Link to the stage on Saturday, March 12 at 7pm and Sunday, March 13 at 2pm!

Dr. Becker has been a Westminster resident since 2003 and a champion for our community!

In addition to her role as the Mayor of Westminster, Dr. Becker co-founded the Environmental Studies Department at McDaniel College and is the Science Department Chair at Westminster High School.

They are an active member of the Carroll County Arts Council, the Westminster Farmer’s Market, and an advocate for downtown businesses.

Mayor Link has been a Sykesville resident since 2005. Her service to the community started in 2011 when she became part of the then grassroots downtown revitalization program. Soon thereafter, she was appointed to the Sykesville Historic District Commission, then served two terms on the Town Council before being elected Mayor of Sykesville in May, 2021.

Mayor Link has been an occupational therapist since 1997 and specializes in adaptive technology and environmental accessibility for persons with disabilities. She is a nationally certified assistive technology professional and holds an Executive Certificate in Home Modifications.

When our Barrier-Free Studio members are taking our strolls on Main Street in Sykesville, inevitably we run into Mayor Link, and it is always a pleasure to see her at one of her favorite local spots!

Can’t make it to the shows?

Barrier-Free's upcoming shows S'mores Wars & One Star Resort are being professionally recorded by School Days Productions!

Digital copies make the perfect keepsake or provide an opportunity to watch our shows if you are unable to attend in-person.

Donate to our Purple Bucket Campaign

What is “The Purple Bucket Campaign?”

Annually in March, Barrier-Free hosts our largest direct donation campaign of the year, lovingly called “The Purple Bucket Campaign.”

The purple bucket is a nod to the early days of Barrier-Free where folks may remember purchasing tickets to see a show and having their change be made out of a plastic bucket.

Although we are a long way from plastic bucket days, we still rely on donations from our supporters to keep our programs affordable and accessible for all families.

Please make a donation to Barrier-Free this month and help us fill our bucket! Thank you for already helping us raise $3060!

Sponsorship Levels

Donate by Saturday, March 5 to have your family or company name listed in our program for S’mores War & One Star Resort estimated to reach 1000+ individuals!

NEW - Barrier-Free Music Studio

Mike Morton, aka "Music Mike," Barrier-Free’s beloved Music Director is proud to present Barrier-Free’s Music Studio!

Music is a universal language that anyone can understand, and at the Barrier-Free Music Studio our goal is to make music accessible to everyone! We offer musical classes, lessons, and support for people of all abilities, with a focus on self expression and gaining self-confidence in your own voice. Music is an amazing way to break down the barriers that divide us.

Music Mike will be offering Music & Mentorship private lessons and Jam Sessions at The Music Studio located at 7520 Main St #103 Sykesville, MD 21784 on Sundays.

Click Below to see a Jam Session Sneak Peek

Spring/Summer Classes Now Enrolling!

All Spring & Summer classes will be offered IN-PERSON. Please check class details for the location.

BUNDLE & SAVE - click “Learn More” on any class.

​Currently Barrier-Free is not offering any virtual programming.

Traffic Stop Practice

EVERYONE feels anxiety when they see that police car light up behind them. You begin to wonder, “Am I in trouble?” “What did I do wrong?” In that moment, slowing down your brain and thinking about what you need to do can be difficult. So it’s time to start thinking about what you should do BEFORE you get pulled over. The goal is to have a safe interaction during a traffic stop.

Sign up now for Traffic Stop Practice Sessions, sponsored by Pathfinders for Autism, in Harford County (3/30), Frederick County (4/21), and Charles County (5/4)

2022 Transition Symposium

2022 TRANSITION SYMPOSIUM​​​​​​​

A free 4-part webinar series designed for transitioning youth ages 14-21 with IEP/504 plans, their families, and professionals.

The webinars will be held monthly via Zoom on February 17, March 15, April 21 and May 24, 2022.

Visit the REGISTRATION PAGE for more information.

Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day

Get your celebration on during World Down Syndrome Day! Join us in Annapolis on March 21st for remarks from advocates and state leaders, refreshments, and plenty of dancing, as the state officially recognizes 3/21 as #WorldDownSyndromeDay!

John and Gary are ready to safely escort you to the S’mores Wars on March 12 & 13 at McDaniel College Theater/ We’ll see you there!