For more than a century, the movies have allowed us to enter worlds with no limits. For the past year, the Prospector Theater in Ridgefield has done the same, by raising the curtain for people who are natural born stars.
“Seventy percent of our workforce has disabilities and they just work right alongside everyone else, to the point where we wonder: ‘Who even has the disability?’” Prospector Founder Valerie Jensen said.
Inspired by her sister with Down syndrome, Jensen mapped out a business plan to provide adults with disabilities meaningful jobs. She knew the road wouldn’t be an easy one. According to Jensen, there was no comparable theater, no footprint, for the project they were looking to undertake. Without a playbook, she said the Prospector had to chart its own course. A year later, she says the journey has only just begun.
“We have received thousands of applications, people wanting jobs so badly and wanting to be part of this. We see there really is a worldwide demand for the product the Prospector Theater is making,” Jensen said.
That product all comes courtesy of the workers known as “Prospects.” From concessions, to food preparation, guest greeting and ticket sales, they are involved in every traditional facet of theater and beyond.
“We harness the passion that each person has,” Jensen said. “We know what their hobbies are, we know what they love and what they are great at. We call it sparkle mining.”
That sparkle can be seen in Prospects like Thomas Acocella, the theater pianist, who lost all of his usable vision in 2012.
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“I did work evaluations in the past and nothing came of it. Finally, I hit the jackpot at The Prospector,” Acocella said.
Acocella certainly isn’t the only one who feels that way. Jensen says that by earning their paycheck, the theater’s 102 employees have also earned back their independence, and this month the White House took notice. Jensen was invited to speak about the inclusion of people with disabilities in the arts and entertainment industry. She says it is further proof their work is making a difference.
“This year has been humbling. It has really been an outstanding display of how much what we are doing is needed,” she said.
The mission of the Prospector has seen its share of success, but Jensen hesitates to say it is "mission accomplished." For her, there will always be a new challenge. Luckily, the Prospector is up for it.
“Really there is no limit. There is no ceiling to what we can do.”
To learn more about the Prospector Theater, click here.
