Spectrum Project
The Spectrum Project is a music, movement, drama and art program for children with differing abilities. Productions are created by the ideas of the performers with direction from college students. Read more below.
Spectrum Project Information
Buddies
Buddies are volunteers who come during rehearsal to help a performer. Staff members design the show and the activities, teach the routines to the performers and keep the whole project enjoyable and safe.
What are the dates Spectrum Project?
Spectrum Project is a Spring Semester project. The first rehearsal is the first Saturday after the first week of classes and the show is in April. There are no rehearsals on the Saturdays before and after Spring Break. Buddy training is the Sunday before UNI classes begin.
What time are rehearsals?
Rehearsals are 1:00-2:30pm with a 12:15pm report time.
When is training?
Training is the day before Spring semester classes begin. It is held at Lincoln Elementary (Cedar Falls) from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Questions about being a Buddy
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
|
What's the difference between a buddy and staff member? |
Buddies are volunteers who come during rehearsal to help a performer. Staff members design the show and the activities, teach the routines to the performers and keep the whole project enjoyable and safe. |
| What are the dates? | Every Saturday of the spring semester beginning the first Saturday after the first week of classes and going until early April, depending on the year. Buddy training is the Sunday before UNI classes begin. 3-5pm at Lincoln Elementary. Rehearsals are 1:00-2:30pm with a 12:15pm report time. |
| Do I need to come every week? | Almost. The UNI Spectrum Project strives to provide consistency for the children who participate in the program. For many of our performers, relying on the consistency of their buddy being there each week is really important. We understand that you may need to miss rehearsal due to pre-arranged events. Just let us know at the beginning of the project which weekends you'll miss. We don't have Spectrum the Saturdays before and after Spring Break. |
| What if I have no experience working with children with special needs? | Not a problem. We provide training the Sunday before classes begin. We also have an AMAZING support staff who is there to help at any time. We encourage people with no experience to volunteer. |
| Do I work with the child one-on-one all by myself? | No. Buddies are assigned to groups or maybe individual performers, but we work in groups and there are directors who work with the groups. We also have support staff to help. We also have buddy positions for those who just want to help but would rather not be paired with a performer. |
| Will I be expected to act silly sometimes? | YES! ABSOLUTELY! YES! |
| I don't have any experience with music, drama, art or movement. Can I still be a buddy? | Absolutely! No previous experience in any of these areas is needed to be a buddy. |
| Is this a course? Can I get college credit for being in the Spectrum Project? | Yes, there is a course for students in the Spectrum Project. MUS ED 1059. The credits vary from 0 to 1 credit. |
Who makes a good UNI Buddy?
Someone who listens well to their performer and is patient. Someone who is willing to be a little silly. Someone who can be encouraging to others. Someone who understands we're all different and that's what makes the world beautiful!
Be a Buddy Videos
Be a Buddy Video - Communication Sciences and Disorders
Be a Buddy Video - Aja Baskerville
Buddies are volunteers who come during rehearsal to help a performer. Staff members design the show and the activities, teach the routines to the performers and keep the whole project enjoyable and safe.
What are the dates Spectrum Project?
Spectrum Project is a Spring Semester project. The first rehearsal is the first Saturday after the first week of classes and the show is in April. There are no rehearsals on the Saturdays before and after Spring Break. Buddy training is the Sunday before UNI classes begin.
What time are rehearsals?
Rehearsals are 1:00-2:30pm with a 12:15pm report time.
When is training?
Training is the day before Spring semester classes begin. It is held at Lincoln Elementary (Cedar Falls) from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Questions about being a Buddy
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
|
What's the difference between a buddy and staff member? |
Buddies are volunteers who come during rehearsal to help a performer. Staff members design the show and the activities, teach the routines to the performers and keep the whole project enjoyable and safe. |
| What are the dates? | Every Saturday of the spring semester beginning the first Saturday after the first week of classes and going until early April, depending on the year. Buddy training is the Sunday before UNI classes begin. 3-5pm at Lincoln Elementary. Rehearsals are 1:00-2:30pm with a 12:15pm report time. |
| Do I need to come every week? | Almost. The UNI Spectrum Project strives to provide consistency for the children who participate in the program. For many of our performers, relying on the consistency of their buddy being there each week is really important. We understand that you may need to miss rehearsal due to pre-arranged events. Just let us know at the beginning of the project which weekends you'll miss. We don't have Spectrum the Saturdays before and after Spring Break. |
| What if I have no experience working with children with special needs? | Not a problem. We provide training the Sunday before classes begin. We also have an AMAZING support staff who is there to help at any time. We encourage people with no experience to volunteer. |
| Do I work with the child one-on-one all by myself? | No. Buddies are assigned to groups or maybe individual performers, but we work in groups and there are directors who work with the groups. We also have support staff to help. We also have buddy positions for those who just want to help but would rather not be paired with a performer. |
| Will I be expected to act silly sometimes? | YES! ABSOLUTELY! YES! |
| I don't have any experience with music, drama, art or movement. Can I still be a buddy? | Absolutely! No previous experience in any of these areas is needed to be a buddy. |
| Is this a course? Can I get college credit for being in the Spectrum Project? | Yes, there is a course for students in the Spectrum Project. MUS ED 1059. The credits vary from 0 to 1 credit. |
Who makes a good UNI Buddy?
Someone who listens well to their performer and is patient. Someone who is willing to be a little silly. Someone who can be encouraging to others. Someone who understands we're all different and that's what makes the world beautiful!
Be a Buddy Videos
Be a Buddy Video - Communication Sciences and Disorders
Be a Buddy Video - Aja Baskerville