History of Rooster Tales

Rooster Tales was created by Dr. Peter Duffy of the University of South Carolina’s Department of Theatre and Dance, who saw an opportunity to prepare future theatre educators while creating a welcoming space where autistic and neurodiverse students could learn, connect, and thrive.

The program brings together theatre, psychology, and inclusive teaching. Dr. Duffy partnered with Dr. Caitlin Hudac in Psychology, whose work focuses on autism, friendship, and social learning—including how the brain and body work together to support well-being. Dr. Sarah Edmunds, also in Psychology, joined the collaboration with clinical expertise in autism and in creating environments where autistic and neurodiverse individuals can learn and grow.

Together, Rooster Tales offers an inclusive, strengths-based community where students can explore storytelling, creativity, relationships, and self-expression, while future educators gain meaningful experience supporting the full range of learners. Generous funding from the South Carolina Arts Commission has made this shared vision possible, helping bring together students, families, educators, and artists in a creative community where everyone can grow.

Interested in joining an upcoming Rooster Tales?

We will update more about upcoming summer camps in the early spring. Here is information about what the program usually looks like: 

Class Size:

The classes will be no larger than 15 students. The teachers are experienced theatre makers and educators who have considerable backgrounds working with students on the spectrum. There will also be graduate student aids as well as high school "understudies". The student teacher ratio will be no larger than 2:1. The small class sizes will allow actors to receive individualized attention as well as opportunities to consistently practice life-skills. We invite family-supported child aids to come to the camp as well.  

Accommodations:

Sensory supports, quiet rooms, visual schedules, individualized goal setting, peer and video role modeling. We develop a predictable routine for the students and we invite students and their families to come to the location the week prior to camp so they can see the space and know what to predict when they arrive on the first day of camp.

Curriculum:

The camp focuses on a Social/Emotional Learning frameworks that encourages students to communicate, collaborate and celebrate with each other. The theatre is an excellent way for students to learn about a character’s perspectives, what the character wants, and how they can go about getting it. Research shows the tremendous impacts that the theatre can have on students on the spectrum. We hope to see you and your actor at Rooster Tales!