RJ Mitte discusses overcoming adversity at UNT's Fine Arts Series Oct. 29

Wednesday, September 23, 2015 - 18:48

What: RJ Mitte, actor and advocate for actors with disabilities, visits the University of North Texas to present "Overcoming Adversity: Turning a Disadvantage into an Advantage." Mitte will discuss the challenges of living with cerebral palsy and overcoming adversity as part of the 2015-16 Mary Jo and V. Lane Rawlins Fine Arts Series.

When: 8 p.m. Oct. 29 (Thursday)

Where: UNT's Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 N. I-35E.

Cost: UNT students get into the event for free, but must reserve their ticket by contacting the Murchison Performing Arts Center. Ticket prices are $10 for the general public and are $5 for faculty, staff and alumni. Tickets for events at the Murchison Performing Arts Center can be reserved or purchased online.

More information: More information on the events throughout the year can be found at the Fine Arts Series Facebook page.

DENTON (UNT), Texas – The University of North Texas will host RJ Mitte, an actor from the highly-acclaimed TV series, Breaking Bad, as part of the 2015-16 Mary Jo and V. Lane Rawlins Fine Arts Series. The event will be held at 8 p.m. Oct 29 (Thursday) in UNT's Murchison Performing Arts Center, 2100 N. I-35E. Denton.

Mitte will speak to students and faculty about the challenges he faced growing up with a mild form of cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is a form of paralysis, believed to be caused by brain injury, which normally occurs during birth. Most affected by the disorder have difficulty controlling their muscles and voluntarily using their motor skills.

Mitte will discuss how he confronted his disorder growing up in southern Texas and Louisiana and how he learned to use his disability in Hollywood to raise awareness of the importance of equality and diversity.

Mitte began acting lessons in 2005, upon moving to Hollywood. His acting career began with background roles on TV series such as Hannah Montana and Everybody Hates Chris. He defines his role in Breaking Bad as the big break that gave him the perfect opportunity to educate a wider-range of publics about people with disabilities.

Ron Venable, director for UNT's Office of Disability Accommodation, said that a speaker like Mitte represents a relatively new trend in Hollywood where more people with disabilities have regularly recurring, more positive roles on our screens.

"Disability is a natural part of life, as much as 19 percent of the U.S. population has a disability according to 2010 U.S. Census data -- that's one in five people, upwards of 56 million Americans," Venable said. "So, it's essential that our campus provide mandated accessibility and programming. Moreover, providing access for people with disabilities and educational programming benefits everyone."

Venable stated that his office would be advertising for the appearance among students and staff.

"I'm sure there were still many challenges along the way for RJ and hearing his perspective can encourage us all to be more aware of physical and attitudinal barriers we can all play a part in eliminating," Venable said.

UNT students get into the event for free, but must reserve their ticket by contacting the Murchison Performing Arts Center. More information on Mitte's speech and other events throughout the year can be found at the Fine Arts Series Facebook page.

About the Mary Jo and V. Lane Rawlins Fine Arts Series

Now in its 111th season, the Fine Arts Series began as the Lyceum Series in 1903 when UNT was North Texas Normal College. The series has grown over the past century while never losing sight of its purpose to enrich UNT students' lives and provide a higher quality of life at the university. The series continues to entertain and educate the campus community by presenting an exciting series of performing, visual and literary arts events. All Fine Arts Series performances are presented free of charge to UNT students.

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