Interview with John Paizis

Introduction:

• Dr. Allen Lycka introduces John Paizis, founder of Performing Arts Studio West, which has a 26-year legacy of training performers with disabilities.
• John Paizis is also the creative mind behind Mother Goose Reanimated, an innovative art book that reimagines classic nursery rhymes with themes of diversity, inclusivity, and empowerment.
• The book features contributions from well-known celebrities and artists, and aims to resonate with modern audiences through new interpretations of traditional tales.

Performing Arts Studio West:

• Founded in 1998, Performing Arts Studio West trains individuals with disabilities in acting, music, dance, and more.
• Over the years, the studio has worked on numerous productions, ranging from small theater performances to large-scale musical presentations featuring over 80 cast members.
• The studio's mission is to prepare participants for work in the entertainment industry, with many of its students appearing in films, TV shows, commercials, and music videos.

The Concept Behind Mother Goose Reanimated:

• The project began as a way to teach participants at Performing Arts Studio West the skills needed for print work, a medium the studio had not yet explored.
• The idea was to reinterpret traditional nursery rhymes through a modern lens, bringing in celebrity friends of the studio and industry experts to collaborate.
• The book features 12 well-known rhymes, including Jack and Jill, Humpty Dumpty, and Little Miss Muffet, alongside more visually compelling, lesser-known rhymes.

Celebrity Involvement:

• Many well-known actors and performers contributed to the project, including:
• Deborah Wilton (Mad TV)
• Matt Frazier, Naomi Grossman, and Jamie Brewer (American Horror Story)
• Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers)
• Kurt Yeager (Sons of Anarchy)
• Nick Novicki (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse)
• Santina Muha (One Day at a Time)
• All celebrities were enthusiastic about the project, drawn to its unique and visually exciting storytelling.

The Impact of Mother Goose Reanimated:

• The book represents an important step toward greater representation of people with disabilities in media.
• 90% of the over 100 creators, models, and actors involved in the project identify as individuals with disabilities.
• The book's goal is to show how individuals with disabilities can be central to artistic expression and mainstream storytelling.

The Importance of Representation in Media:

• Paizis discusses the challenges and progress made in getting actors with disabilities cast in roles that authentically represent their experiences.
• Over the years, there has been a shift in the entertainment industry towards casting actors with disabilities in roles written for characters with disabilities, providing greater opportunities and breaking down barriers.

Personal Motivation and Family Ties:

• Paizis shares that his mother was a special education teacher, and he had a cousin with a developmental disability, which inspired his passion for working with this community.
• He combined his experience in the arts with his desire to provide more creative opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Audience and Impact:

• Mother Goose Reanimated targets art lovers, the disability community, and anyone who appreciates alternative and inclusive art.
• The book was recently debuted at Comic-Con in Los Angeles and has been well-received by a wide audience.

How to Support and Get Involved:

• Listeners are encouraged to explore and purchase Mother Goose Reanimated, which is available on Amazon in hardcover, softcover, and Kindle formats.
• Performing Arts Studio West is always open to financial donations to support its programs, as state funding does not fully cover the costs of their extensive artistic projects.
• More information about the studio can be found at their website: www.PAStudiowest.com.