'A wonderful moment for us all': Edmonton actor with disability shines on Citadel stage
The Citadel Theatre is bringing something new to its yearly performance of A Christmas Carol.
The iconic character "Tiny Tim" is losing the title and a 10-year-old with a disability is playing the part.
"This year is the first year we are working with a Tim with lived experience, with disability," artistic director Daryl Cloran told CTV News Edmonton. "Our decision to call him 'Tim' not 'tiny Tim' is to give him agency on his own."
The role is Elias Martin's first acting gig but he tells CTV News Edmonton that memorizing lines has been no big deal.
"It's super easy because I practiced at home," he said.
Elias was born with a heart defect that required him to have three open-heart surgeries by the age of four.
During his third surgery, he suffered a massive stroke.
"They ended up having to do major brain surgery and as a result, he got technically cerebral palsy and so he has some difficulty walking and some vision issues," said his father Blair Martin.
After the stroke, Blair says they didn't know whether Elias would walk, talk, speak or eat on his own again. So, seeing him perform on stage has been remarkable.
"I don't know if we've made it through even the rehearsals without almost crying every time," he said.
Cloran calls Elias "a natural" and says he's been a thrill to watch.
"The other day he performed for 700 students and to see him there in front of his peers performing and having this kind of success is such a wonderful moment for all of us," he said.
Elias has also been enjoying the spotlight and says he gets "joy" from the crowds.
"Come see the show, it's amazing," he added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | B.C. reveals plan for decriminalization of small amounts of drugs for personal use
British Columbia is taking a major step forward in its fight against the province’s deadly overdose crisis by decriminalizing the possession of a small amount of certain illicit drugs for personal use.

New alcohol recommendations could speed up changing drinking habits: businesses
Advocates and business owners in the beverage industry say new guidance for drinking alcohol could speed up changing consumer drinking habits as younger generations drink less and non-alcoholic beverages become more popular.
Adding milk to coffee may be anti-inflammatory: Danish study
Adding some milk to your morning coffee may boost the body's anti-inflammatory response, new research out of Denmark shows.
Girl, 6, dead after accident at ski resort north of Montreal on Sunday
A six-year-old girl died in hospital Sunday night after being involved in an incident at the Val-Saint-Côme ski resort in Lanaudiere. Quebec police are investigating, though details into the event are not yet known. Officers indicated that it involved a T-bar lift, but they were not able to say more.
WHO: COVID-19 still an emergency but nearing 'inflection' point
The coronavirus remains a global health emergency, the World Health Organization chief said Monday, after a key advisory panel found the pandemic may be nearing an 'inflection point' where higher levels of immunity can lower virus-related deaths.
Quebec minister calls on new anti-Islamophobia representative to step down over Bill 21 comments
Quebec's minister responsible for secularism, Jean-Francois Roberge, has called on Canada’s new special anti-Islamophobia advisor Amira Elghawaby to apologize and step down.
Health, economy, crime top issues of concern as House of Commons resumes
Members of Parliament return to Ottawa to resume sitting for the first time in 2023 on Monday, with the state of Canada's health-care system, the health of the Canadian economy, and rates of violent crime in this country all top of mind.
Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull dies at 84
Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull has died at the age of 84. He played for the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks and Hartford Whalers as well as the World Hockey Association's Winnipeg Jets over a 23-year pro career.
Are you a Ukrainian who recently moved to Canada? We want to hear from you
With Russia's invasion of Ukraine displacing millions of people, many refugees have begun to lay their roots in Canada. If you or someone you know has fled the war-torn country and settled in Canada, we want to hear from you.