SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Julian Chapa’s fervent desire to embody the Beast in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” sparked a profound movement in San Antonio, one that has now transcended the intimate confines of a living room and is garnering national and international recognition. His parents, Leah and Raul Chapa, faced the common challenge of finding inclusive performing arts opportunities for their son, who has Down syndrome. Their personal quest to fulfill Julian’s theatrical dreams ultimately led to the establishment of Center Stage PossABILITIES, a faith-based theater company dedicated to providing adults with disabilities a platform to shine. This journey, marked by passion, perseverance, and the creation of a vibrant community, is now the subject of a new documentary, “Center Stage PossABILITIES,” set to screen at the 32nd annual San Antonio Film Festival.
The Genesis of a Dream: From Living Room Stage to Film Festival Recognition
The story of Center Stage PossABILITIES began not with a grand vision for a large organization, but with a singular, heartfelt wish. Julian Chapa, then a young man with a deep love for acting, found himself consistently relegated to background roles in high school productions. His parents, anticipating similar limitations in non-school theater settings, decided to take matters into their own hands. Leah Chapa transformed their family’s living and dining rooms into a makeshift performance space. She meticulously crafted a 40-minute adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast,” titled “Beauty and the Bible,” complete with costumes, props, and sets. The inaugural performance, attended by approximately 50 friends and family, provided Julian with the coveted opportunity to portray his dream character, the Beast.
“He loved it,” recalled Raul Chapa, who played Gaston in the family production. “He got to bow and get his accolades.” This deeply personal and successful endeavor ignited a spark in Leah Chapa. Upon learning about a church-based theater program in Dallas specifically designed for adults with disabilities, she visited to observe. She was not only impressed by the quality of the performances but also profoundly moved by the strong sense of community that had blossomed among the actors—a community the Chapas had struggled to find for Julian.
Upon her return, the Chapas were galvanized. They resolved to create a similar nurturing environment in San Antonio. This ambition materialized into Center Stage PossABILITIES, a theater company that has, for eight years, been a beacon of creative expression for adults with disabilities. The company typically stages one significant production annually, often held at University Methodist Church, and is known for its unique blend of biblical narratives and contemporary pop culture elements.
A Cinematic Spotlight: The Documentary “Center Stage PossABILITIES”
The journey of Center Stage PossABILITIES has now been immortalized in a documentary film, also titled “Center Stage PossABILITIES,” directed by Taylor James Johnson. The film is slated for a significant screening on July 23rd as part of the San Antonio Film Festival, an event that showcases over 180 films from July 23rd to July 26th across various venues in the city. This inclusion marks a significant milestone for the company, amplifying its message and impact.
The San Antonio Film Festival itself is a well-established cultural event, this year featuring a diverse program. Highlights include a tribute to director Gregory Nava on the 30th anniversary of his iconic film “Selena,” and a retrospective on the Brat Pack era with appearances from stars like Andrew McCarthy, known for his roles in “St. Elmo’s Fire” and “Pretty in Pink.” The selection of “Center Stage PossABILITIES” within this broader cinematic landscape underscores the film’s narrative power and the compelling story it tells.
The documentary’s selection is not an isolated incident. Center Stage PossABILITIES has garnered attention from several film festivals, including two in South Africa. Furthermore, the film recently received accolades at the inaugural Elemental Film Festival held in San Antonio earlier this month, testament to its artistic merit and emotional resonance.
Behind the Scenes: The Creative Process and Empowering Performances
The documentary captures the company’s intensive six-month process of creating their production, “No Strings Attached.” This play ingeniously wove together the biblical parable of the prodigal son with the classic tale of “Pinocchio” and contemporary online culture. A hallmark of Center Stage PossABILITIES’ productions is the deliberate tailoring of each role to the specific abilities and talents of the actors. Julian, now 22, demonstrated his versatility by portraying both God and a fitness influencer in “No Strings Attached.” He reportedly favored the latter role, citing his enjoyment of the character’s physical prowess, and has declared it his favorite role to date.
Director Taylor James Johnson adopted a cinéma vérité style for the documentary, allowing the audience an intimate and unvarnished glimpse into the creative process. The film primarily features observational footage of the actors, director Nikki Young, and the crew as they collaborate and overcome challenges to bring their productions to life. Interviews with the Chapas and other key figures are interspersed, providing context and personal reflections.
The film vividly portrays the deeply supportive and inclusive environment fostered by the company. Raul Chapa shared a particularly poignant moment captured on film: a young actor, after completing his time on stage, quietly offered words of encouragement to every performer who followed him. Whispers of “I heard you” and “You did awesome” became a recurring motif, embodying the essence of mutual respect and validation within the group.
“Part of the beauty of what we do is they get to be seen and heard,” Raul Chapa explained, reflecting on this moment. “It was almost a metaphor, that particular moment.” This sentiment underscores the profound impact of the theater program, providing not just an outlet for creativity but also a space for genuine human connection and affirmation.
From Social Media Clips to Feature-Length Film
The genesis of the documentary can be traced back to video elements that were integrated into the “No Strings Attached” production. Johnson initially created these videos and also filmed behind-the-scenes footage for social media and promotional purposes. However, the richness and authenticity of the footage soon suggested a larger narrative.
“I just kept coming back and kept getting great footage, and I said, ‘I think we have something here,’” Johnson remarked. He elaborated on his experience, stating, “I got to see them grow every day, and it got better and better. Nothing was perfect. There were some downfalls, and I got to see them rise up and keep going. So I just had to be there.” This dedication to capturing the genuine struggles and triumphs of the ensemble propelled the project into a full-fledged documentary.
Expanding Horizons: New Projects and Future Aspirations
The collaboration between Johnson and Center Stage PossABILITIES continues to flourish. Johnson is currently working with the company on a fictional film, a project that further exemplifies their commitment to co-creation and actor-driven storytelling. This new endeavor centers on a choir for individuals with disabilities who become lost while en route to a performance. Significantly, the narrative is not driven by a pre-written script. Instead, the actors are actively involved in developing their characters and shaping the storyline through their choices and improvisations.
Filming for this project has been underway on weekends over the past few months, with a planned wrap-up in August. The premiere is anticipated for late November or early December. The company is currently considering two potential titles for the film: “Lost in the Woods” and “As We Are.”
Leah Chapa expressed a fervent hope that these films will reach a wide audience and serve as an inspiration for others to establish similar inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Beyond inspiring action, the Chapas aim for these cinematic endeavors to illuminate the multifaceted experiences of their son and the other participants in Center Stage PossABILITIES.
“There are so many beautiful experiences that you witness,” Leah Chapa shared. “Having a child with special needs, you see how the world treats them, see how the world sees them, even if they give them the time of day. Being a part of this and seeing them in a different light—being able to show people their ability, their personalities, their humanity—it’s very powerful.”
The impact of Center Stage PossABILITIES extends beyond the stage and screen, fostering a powerful testament to the transformative power of the arts in promoting inclusion, building community, and celebrating the inherent worth and potential of every individual. The documentary’s selection for the San Antonio Film Festival represents a crucial step in sharing this powerful narrative with a broader audience, encouraging empathy, understanding, and the replication of such life-affirming initiatives across communities. The continued success and evolution of Center Stage PossABILITIES highlight the vital need for accessible arts programs and the profound positive influence they can have on individuals and society as a whole.
