The 48th annual Orange County Arts and Disability Festival is set to return to MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana on April 27, marking the beginning of a new era as longtime emcee William Allen Young and American Sign Language interpreter Paula Dunn pass the baton to a new duo.
Hosted by the Orange County Department of Education in partnership with the festival, the daylong event is a cornerstone of Arts Orange County’s annual “Imagination Celebration.” The festival offers a platform for students and adults with disabilities to exhibit artwork and showcase their talents in writing, dance, music, theater and visual arts.
Young and Dunn worked together for more than four decades, bringing their expertise and warmth to the forefront as they promoted the work and talents of individuals with disabilities.
“We are tremendously grateful to both William and Paula for the many years of joy, enthusiasm and heart they brought to the Orange County Arts and Disability Festival,” said Barber. “They are beloved by the disability community here in Orange County and will be greatly missed.”
Rena Strober will be stepping into Young’s role as the new mistress of ceremonies. A seasoned Broadway performer and actor with a rich background in film, television and voice acting, she is celebrated for her roles in productions such as “Les Miserables” and “Fiddler on the Roof.”
Joining her on stage will be Mayleen Richardson, an American Sign Language interpreter and performer who has spent more than two decades within the Anaheim Union High School District. With a background in teaching and conducting for Hope School’s musical department, Richardson brings a wealth of experience and passion to the festival.
As Orange County gears up to celebrate another year of creativity and inclusivity, let’s take a moment to pause and pay tribute to the invaluable contributions of Young and Dunn to the community.
William Allen Young’s reflections
Young — his credits include “Code Black” and “Moesha” — is no stranger to contributing to public education in Orange County. In addition to his annual return for the festival, the actor and director showcased his talents and charm as the master of ceremonies for the Orange County Department of Education’s annual Teacher of the Year gala.
Young’s connection with the festival transcends mere performance. He prides himself in fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion for every student, along with their teachers and families.
“It’s the one day they prepare for an entire year,” Young said. “It’s one of the few moments in their lives when the spotlight shines on them and the world gets to see them as they truly are — without limitations.”
As for passing the baton, the veteran actor expressed that he had long sensed the timing to move on, particularly after the departure of Phyllis Berenbeim, the former coordinator of VSA Orange County. She was the one who invited him to lead the ceremony, and he stayed on for a few years after her departure.
Young shares some advice for Strober.
“If you can help them reach that level of self-actualization, that joyful feeling of being loved and appreciated,” he said, “then you too will realize what I discovered years ago — that being VSA Master of Ceremonies is not about you. It’s about being eternally grateful for having the opportunity to serve others.”
Paula Dunn’s reflections
Dunn, a Boise, Idaho native, grew up without close connections to the deaf community but found herself drawn to American Sign Language — or ASL — after reading a book about Helen Keller. Captivated by the sign language alphabet that was included in the back pages, Dunn began practicing and gradually acquiring a few more words in her vocabulary.
“Flash forward a couple of years, and my husband’s cousin had a daughter,” Dunn said. “They found out she was born deaf, and the mother asked if I wanted to take a sign language class with her. The rest is history.”
The festival holds a special place in Dunn’s heart, serving as a source of inspiration and fulfillment. Similar to Young’s experience, Dunn received an invitation from Berenbeim to join the actor in 1979, and for 44 years, she faithfully made the trek from Idaho to Orange County to participate in the festival.
“To see so many of the teachers and trainers taking the time to work with all the participants who had disabilities, to let them be as much as they could be often brought a tear to my eye,” said Dunn.
Her decision to step back from her role reflects a deep sense of responsibility and a desire to ensure the festival’s continued success.
The Orange County Arts and Disability Festival is currently accepting submissions for visual and performing arts. For additional information and to submit entries, contact Marleena Barber, OCDE Visual and Performing Arts consultant and director of Orange County Arts and Disability, at s.mbarber@ocde.us. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 22.
