Film festival spotlights power of inclusion with premiere of documentary about OSF production of the musical ‘Hairspray’
By Kayla Heffner for Ashland.news
The Ashland Independent Film Festival kicks off its four-day run Thursday, Oct. 3, with the centerpiece film for the festival, ‘Including Us,’ set for its world premiere Saturday.
The film, made by local director Brandon Givens, is about the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s production of “Hairspray: A Broadway Musical” in 2019. The story focuses on four actors with disabilities who starred in the musical, along with the rest of the cast.
Luke Hogan Laurenson, 18, is one of the teen actors in the 35-minute documentary. Luke was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder, at 6 months old.
Luke’s mom, Jane Hogan, said she always knew he would make a difference in the world and this documentary encapsulates his inspiring story of never giving up, in spite of the many adversities and challenges he faces on a daily basis.
Luke’s message is one of hope and always remembering to follow your dreams.
Luke graduated last year and was honored as one of the 12 valedictorians at Ashland High School (AHS). Luke doesn’t have the ability to speak, but he still gave a commencement speech at his graduation using a Talk Buddy.
Doctors told Luke’s parents he would most likely not be able to walk and may need to spend his life in an institution. Jane didn’t accept this notion and, when Luke turned 12, he started walking independently.
Luke has undergone countless medical procedures, doctors appointments, surgery and therapy, which has helped with his mobility over the years. He still uses a wheelchair on most days.
Luke and his mom, Jane, found time in between physical therapy appointments to sit down with Ashland.news to talk about the film across their kitchen table at their home in Ashland, just days before its premiere.
Asked why Luke loves musical theater so much, he said, with the help of his Talk Buddy device, that he watched his older sister, Julia, doing theater growing up and she inspired him to start acting as well. Luke uses a computer device and spells words with his nose on the screen and then the device reads what he types out loud.
Luke has a message for other teens with disabilities who are struggling. “Have someone who believes in you. People can do anything if they set their mind to it,” Luke said.
In fact, Luke and some of the actors wouldn’t have been able to participate in the musical were it not for the first OSF actor in a wheelchair who came before him, Regan Linton. OSF put in a wheelchair ramp and lift for her years prior. OSF has also featured a blind actor.
Jenna Bainbridge is the featured adult actor with a disability in the 2019 production of “Hairspray” and stars in the documentary alongside Luke. Bainbridge is now an advocate for actors with disabilities and has performed on Broadway in New York City.
Former OSF Artistic Director Bill Rauch and his husband, Chris Moore, live in New York, and had Luke and his mom dog sit for them last summer. Rauch and Luke have a special bond because Rauch’s brother has cerebral palsy.
Moore got close with Luke while working with him as the director for the “Hairspray” musical and also worked on OSF productions with Luke’s older sister, Julia.
Julia started a club at AHS called Project Up when she was a sophomore. It paired teen mentors with kids who experience disabilities. They played theater games every Monday for three years together, according to Luke’s mom.
“Watching the profound changes in those who don’t experience disability by just having exposure to those that do. I get weepy just talking about it, but like these kids just really changed and became great global citizens, and they became much better people,” Hogan said.
Moore came by to the club and was blown away by the program and decided to do something at OSF. Two months later Jane and Moore had tea and asked how Luke could be a part of the musical.
Givens had approached Jane and Luke at a film festival previously and said he’d love to support them with video production.
When “Hairspray” was conceived, Jane told Moore that Givens could make a documentary about the 2019 musical production. That’s how the project came to be, Hogan said.
“It’s only the second time in OSF history they’ve let people film backstage at the making of a show. So it’s a very unique backstage look at OSF,” Hogan said.
It is a rare look behind the scenes of OSF as the documentary follows the triumphs and tribulations of the actors’ and crew along the way. Much like the storyline in the musical itself, the movie shows the power of inclusion on and off the stage.
“I never knew what Luke was capable of, but OSF set the bar so high for Luke and I never thought he could do what he did. It made him into a much more confident, capable person having this experience,” Hogan said.
Luke also has a wicked sense of humor. He said on days he’s feeling down, he just remembers to “shake it off” like Taylor Swift.
OSF veteran actor Eddie Lopez, who starred as Corny Collins in the production of “Hairspray” will moderate a Q&A discussion after the documentary with the filmmakers and actors. OSF actor Preston Mead will be present as well.
Mead served as a mentor for the 2019 musical show. Luke starred as Spike in the musical and will be in attendance at the screening with his mom.
Tickets for “Including Us” can be purchased on the AIFF website or in person at the Film Center Box Office at 389 E. Main St. in Ashland. The box office hours are noon to 5 p.m. through Wednesday, Oct. 2, and 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. during festival days, Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 3 to 6.
The premeire will serve as a partial benefit for FACT Oregon, a group that supports families who experience disability. A portion of tickets sales will be given as a donation to the nonprofit.
The world premiere of “Including Us” starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, in the SOU Music Recital Hall, 450 S. Mountain Ave., Ashland.
Luke has been able to blossom because his mom has allowed him to as well. With tears in her eyes, Hogan gave a heartfelt message to parents of kids with disabilities: “They’re capable of much more than you can possibly imagine and give them the chance.”
