On Tuesday, January 28, Learning about Differences & Disabilities (LADD) will present David Harrell, disabilities advocate and actor, performing his warm, smart, and engaging autobiographical solo shows. This program is funded in part through WEF, the Wakefield Cutural Council, and the PTOs of all the elementary schools in Wakefield.

David brings an awareness of disability and difference and encourages young audiences to recognize the universality of our shared experiences. David’s goal is to entertain, enlighten, and educate young people to not define themselves, or others, by their limitations. David will teach the importance of acceptance, inclusion and how to not let circumstances, no matter what they are, peel away who they are as human beings.

Most recently he has been seen in a featured Guest Star role on the new CBS drama “THE CODE”. He has performed Off-Broadway in the New York revival of The Artificial Jungle by Charles Ludlum and in the New York Times Critic’s pick The Healing by Samuel D. Hunter.

David also continues to work as an actor for Only Make Believe, an organization that provides interactive theater for children in hospitals around the NYC. David holds a BFA from the University of Southern Mississippi and a MFA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in theatre performance.

Greenwood School Presentations on Tuesday, January 28, 2020

David will perform A Little Potato and Hard to Peel for grades 3-4 and The Boy Who Would be Captain Hook for grades K-2.

A Little Potato and Hard to Peel

A Little Potato and Hard to Peel is a universal story…that is, a universal story about a not so ordinary life. In his warm, smart, and engaging autobiographical solo show, David Harrell delivers a hilarious and insightful look at living with a disability. He was born in southern Georgia, in the 70s, without his right hand. His parents, having never known anyone with a disability, promised he would never be different. He soon realizes, however, the metal hook he wears on his right hand does in fact make him feel different. A Little Potato and Hard to Peel is not so much a show about living with a disability or overcoming the circumstances of his life but the journey to find the awareness to not be defined by limitations. Through his journey we learn to not let ourselves be defined by our own limitations or let the circumstances of our lives peel away the core of our humanity.

The Boy Who Would Be Captain Hook

Born without his right hand and fitted with a prosthetic hook before he starts school, he is kept on the sidelines of recess until the game becomes Peter Pan! He fits perfectly into the game as Captain Hook but soon grows tired of playing the part and decides he wants to be a hero. What happens when you decide not to be defined by your circumstances and change the game? With appearances from hilarious and colorful characters from his childhood, including Mr. T, David singularly serves as story teller and performer. Through his journey David and his friends learn the importance of accepting and including others that may not look exactly the way that we do.

In an innovative effort to unify the Learning About Differences & Disabilities (LADD) programs across all four elementary schools, the LADD coordinators, PTOs, the Wakefield Educational Foundation (WEF) and the Wakefield Cultural Council (WCC) are funding this innovative program.

The LADD mission is to expose elementary school students to ideas of diversity which include:

acceptance of and respect for all
understanding that each individual is unique
recognizing our individual differences *including race, ethnicity, gender, physical abilities, intellectual disability
to provide programming that allows for the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment and gives our students the tools and skills to be a friend/advocate for others.

If you have ideas for future programming or want to get involved, please reach out to the Greenwood School PTO or Melissa Quinn, Greenwood PTO LADD Chair.