Welcome to Dionysus Theatre
5601 S. Braeswood
Houston, Texas 77096
Joe Frank Theatre
(inside the JCC)
713-728-0041
The mission of Dionysus Theatre is to entertain, educate, enlighten and empower through the theater experience. Using actors with disabilities along side those who are able-bodied, Dionysus Theatre is a catalyst in breaking down barriers, changing lives and attitudes toward those with disabilities. Dionysus is the only inclusive full standing theater in the State of Texas.
The vision of Dionysus Theatre is, through theater performances, community outreach activities and education, to be Houston's leader in promoting diversity, inclusion, tolerance, acceptance and respect for people of all abilities.
Dionysus Theatre entertains, educates, enlightens and empowers actors of all abilities and audience members.
Dionysus Theatre...changing lives..one act at a time.
Founding Artistic Director
Musical Director
Youth Theater Manager
...Take Dionysus Theatre in Houston, made up of physically and
mentally disabled and able-bodied individuals. "Dionysus has empowered
many people," says founder and director Deborah Nowinski, "especially
my actors with disabilities. They go on to college, get jobs, get
married, they feel they have a voice. They become advocates for other
people with disabilities." Dionysus Theatre has performed at least one
original show each year since it's inception in 1997, as well as
established scripts. Next month, as part of its playwrights' series
featuring scripts by or about those with disabilities, Dionysus will
mount Dinner-Levin's Autistic License. The character of Dinner-
Levin's son-played by his father, Michael Paul Levin, in the 2007
premiere at Illusion Theater in Minneapolis-will be portrayed by an
actor with autism in the Dionysus production. Nowiniski believes
theatre grants those with disabilities a life beyond their diagnoses.
"It gives them the chance to be labeled an actor," she says, "instead
of the label that has been hung on them all their lives."