In what may be a case of ideal timing, the newly formed Tall Tales Theater and Arts Company will debut Friday at the Children's Parade with the floupe "Circus 2000."
Drama therapist Pamela Ethridge founded the non-profit group to help mainstream special education students. The organizational documents were just filed this week — with a bit of help from her husband, longtime St. Thomas attorney George Ethridge.
Ethridge has many years of experience working with students with special needs, both on the mainland and, for the last five years, on St. Thomas. Last year she ran a program at Peace Corps School called "Storytelling Through the Arts." This year she's "Making Sense" of the five senses through the arts. She also handles the integrated after-school arts program at Antilles School and she has worked with profoundly disabled students at the Gladys Gabriel Annex of Charlotte Amalie High School.
"The whole concept is to try to break down the barriers between the disabled and the abled children," Ethridge said.
To that end, "Circus 2000" features an integrated troupe of about 25 kids ages 5 to 17 who will ride on the float and perform on the parade route.
Actually, Ethridge said, more than 50 youngsters are involved in the project in one way or another — some helping decorate the float or paint the chac-chacs made from flamboyant pods.
Many adults have pitched in, too. One notable volunteer is Jeanne Webb, who took time off from her crafts shop at Tillett Gardens to design and help construct costumes depicting clowns, dancers and a variety of animals. Also high on Ethridge's list is Benita Martin of Gladys Gabriel School.
Ethridge said she has several corporate sponsors as well, among them Bob Lynch Trucking, Tropical Shipping, the Fruit Bowl, Cost-U-Less and Club Rhyno.
This will not be the first time that Ethridge is making a splash at Carnival. In 1996, the troupe she helped organize for the Resource Center for the Disabled took third place. One way or another, she said, she's sure she has another winner.
