A Woodend couple has been recognised for their work helping children on the autism spectrum gain skills and confidence through acting.
Jennifer and Drew Heriot are the founders of Full Spectrum Theatre and are 2025 Victorian Local Hero nominees in the Australian of the Year Awards.
On Saturdays, the couple hosts tailored courses in film and theatre at the House of the Rock Church, New Gisborne.
Their work has changed the lives of many children with autism since they began in 2021 with just 10 participants. They now have 56 students participating in classes across beginner, intermediate and advanced.
It grew from a need to assist their own son who has autism.
One day, Jenny introduced Elijah to a theatre game. He was fascinated that changes in facial expression could change the meaning of statements. The next day, Jenny saw him using what he’d learned. That was her ‘ah-ha’ moment.
“I just kept looking outside of myself for someone to hold my son and run with brilliance, when we couldn’t find that, we had to create it,” Jenny said.
Between Jenny’s own skillset as an audiologist, actor, dancer and musician, and her husband’s as a director, producer and writer, Full Spectrum Theatre was born.
Each week, the troupes at Full Spectrum Theatre focus on developing essential life skills through engaging and carefully planned classes.
They are the stars in original plays – preparing them to step confidently onto the grander world stage.
“You think kids are coming to learn acting and now years later we are hearing from the parents who say that it’s the only place where their kids don’t act, because kids on the spectrum are already acting,” Drew said.
“They don’t fit in and they feel like they have to, and are often taught to, act like a neurotypical.
“When they come to Full Spectrum Theatre they are surrounded by other kids on the spectrum and they find their peers and they make it really fun and safe, their anxiety comes down and they start to be themselves.”
Jenny said they taught their students that “you can’t get it wrong in theatre”.
“It gives them the opportunity to try on different masks and try on different ways of approaching situations, but knowing there are different ways for them to do that,” she said.
It was after a graduation of students that the Heriots realised the true importance and impact of the theatre group. Students were asking for more. Others were visibly upset to think it was over.
“We knew then that it had to continue,” Jenny said.
They made the decision to expand the program to include beginner and intermediate. A community fundraiser then enabled them to include advanced classes teaching everything from camera work and studio production. They have since introduced more people to help deliver the program.
The Heriots plan to expand Full Spectrum Theatre even further so more people can benefit from the program. They are seeking additional facilities in the Macedon Ranges to do that.
Plans are also under way to develop courses to help people across the globe deliver the program.
Full Spectrum has partnered with the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre and LaTrobe University for an evidence-based research project into their program to begin next year.
As Local Hero Australia Day award nominees, the Heriots are among 137 people being recognised across the country.
Award recipients for Victoria will be announced this Friday, in a ceremony at the Victorian Arts Centre. State recipients will go on to attend the national awards at Canberra on January 25.
