Fran Sillau

(Council Bluffs, Iowa)

As a child, Fran Sillau spent free time memorizing lines and working rehearsals while his classmates played in Little League.

“Other kids were playing sports, and I was doing plays,” says Sillau, now 28. “I’ve been involved in theater since I was four years old and always felt at home there. I started out acting, and after several years I started directing plays and teaching classes.”

Sillau’s love for the theater—along with all that teaching experience—has paid off. This alum of Omaha Theatre Company and Lexington Children’s Theatre was recently selected as one of five VSA arts Teaching Artist Fellows (TAF) for 2008—2009. The TAF program, supported by the U.S. Department of Education and the Dana Foundation, locates some of the artistic community’s best and brightest talents—individuals who have disabilities and are passionate about sharing their knowledge and creativity with students.

VSA arts Teaching Artist Fellows, such as Sillau, who has cerebral palsy, help to raise disability awareness, highlight their roles as professionals in the classroom, and translate arts activities into meaningful instruction for children of all abilities.

“I have a lot to offer students with and without a physical disability,” says Sillau of his role as a Teaching Artist Fellow. “I feel that I am a role model for students. I show them that they can do whatever they put their minds to, whether or not they have a disability.”

About Fran Sillau

A theater artist for nearly 20 years, Fran Sillau has served as a teacher, writer, director, actor, and producer. With an extensive background in theater for youth, Sillau spent several years working with the Omaha Theater Company (Nebraska) and Lexington Children’s Theatre (Kentucky), and also served as artistic director for Rusty Horse Productions in southwest Iowa. With VSA arts of Nebraska, Sillau, who has cerebral palsy, has conducted workshops specifically for youth with physical and developmental disabilities in inner-city schools, long-term care facilities, youth clubs, and special education classrooms.