Eric Taylor rocked back and forth in his wheelchair before doing a 180-degree spin move and relinquishing the spotlight to the next performer. The pattern continued for an hour Friday morning as the Pyramid performers put the final touches on their Sunday show.
Brianna Larson smiled just offstage.
“I have a fantastic job. It’s a lot of work but every moment is so worth it,” said Larson, who has worked at Pyramid for three months. “It combines my two loves or working with people with developmental disabilities and theater.”
The Pyramid is an arts‐focused facility for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They have been rehearsing a Motown-themed musical for six months and will perform it at 3 p.m. Sunday. Diana Ross and the Jackson 5 will not be in attendance, but their legendary music will be.
“I don’t know anybody who doesn’t like Motown music,” said Larson. “It’s kind of stood the test of time.”
It’s an opportunity for people with developmental disabilities in the community to show off their talents.
“I am really focusing on the singing and I get to focus on the dancing,” said Taylor. When asked which he preferred, he answered, “both”.
Lexis beamed as she danced on the stage. She will play a police officer in the acting portion of the show.
“The reason why it’s so fun is because it’s inspiring,” she said. “The other thing I like about it is I have friends around.”
The A Salute to Motown…A Song and Dance Revue show is free to the public. Doors will open to the University Area Community Center on 14013 North 22nd St in Tampa at 2:00 Sunday. Artwork down by Pyramid artists will be for sale at that time. The Motown show begins at 3:00 p.m.
