KATIE LABAHN

Katie Labahn is 23 and she has had to cope all her life. Cerebral palsy starts at birth and never quits, for a single day. I met her when I saw her crossing a busy street downtown in a chair. I was struck by her remarkable, child-like beauty. I just introduced myself, told her about this painting project and in an instant we were talking. She agreed to sit for me and we've been friends since. Early on, she decided that she would become an actress. She got into a decent college and studied acting. Then came to New York to pursue her career. First in the NYU summer acting program and then she landed a rare spot in the Neighborhood Playhouse. It was not a slot for the disabled - just a slot.

Katie goes on casting calls all the time. Not casting calls for girls in chairs, just regular casting calls. For soaps and the like. You know the kind of thing: a kid assistant- director comes out and says to 200 hundred young women, "All right, all you brunettes take a step forward." Pause. "Okay, you can go home because we want blondes for this one." The brunettes go home. General casting calls are brutal and Katie is very rarely chosen. But she likes to go for two reasons. One, she is ferociously asserting her common humanity. And, two, she likes to make the bastards look her in the eye when they say, in effect, "Sorry, no cripples for this one." And sometimes she gets a job, to the surprise of everyone involved. And she does well, because she is good.

I introduced her to Krista Smith, head of the Visible Theater, and Krista got it right away. So you may see Katie in some of Krista's amazing productions. If you do, you'll be lucky. She is terrific, and she gives some of the most moving performances in what are always deeply moving productions.