Actor with Down syndrome encourages teens to reach for their dreams

By Linda Girardi For The Beacon-News:
Although Peter ten Brink is a successful actor, starring in several favorite roles, it is his inspirational life’s story that wins over his audiences.

“It would be great if everyone could reach for their goals, use their imagination and love themselves for who they are,” the actor said.

The 20-year-old ten Brink has Down syndrome. And when he isn’t working in theater productions or memorizing his lines for the big screen, he is an advocate for those with special needs.

On Sunday, he met with a group of teenagers from GiGi’s Playhouse Fox Valley, a Down syndrome awareness and educational center that provides specialized teaching and support for individuals and their families. Sunday’s program was at the Comedy Shrine at Westfield Fox Valley mall in Aurora, a couple doors down from GiGi’s Playhouse Fox Valley.

People with special disabilities “can get ahead just like any other person,” ten Brink told his audience, and he graciously shared credit for his success — with his parents, Frank ten Brink and Jeannine Cleary of Glencoe, who accompany him on the sets, and with his acting coach, Sarah Rose Graber.

“I sincerely love my family – they are the best,” he said.

He said his mother often reminds him to eat healthy. “Naturally I don’t – I love french fries,” he said, drawing laughter.

When a teen asked how old he was and said he was “cute,” ten Brink replied to his fan by saying, “Ditto.”

“When Peter was born schools were just starting to include students with special needs in the regular classroom,” Jeanine Cleary said. “This new generation coming up is completely comfortable and accepting of people with disabilities.”

His parents acknowledged the days on movie sets are long, but their son is passionate about acting and he has remarkable ability for memorizing his lines.

He began acting with the Special Gifts Theatre in Northbrook and performed in productions for his school, New Trier High School. He realized his goal last year after he successfully auditioned for the leading role in the Hallmark movie “A Smile as Big as the Moon,” which is based on a true story about a group of students with special needs who overcome obstacles to attend Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala.

On the big screen, ten Brink played a high school student with Down syndrome. His teacher was played by John Corbett of “Sex and the City” and “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” The movie aired earlier this year on ABC-TV.

On the improv stage of the Comedy Shrine, ten Brink sat beside his acting coach Graber, who directs a theater program for adults with special needs.

Graber said she was impressed with ten Brink’s willingness to work hard, be imaginative and creative.

“It wasn’t just about learning to play this game, but it was how to play this right and get better at it. Peter definitely is very passionate about learning,” the acting coach said.

After meeting with the actor, the GiGi’s Playhouse teens watched a video of the movie with their parents and siblings, as well as about a dozen teen volunteers from GiGi’s Playhouse.

“We wanted to give the kids some inspiration,” said program leader Marissa Quiles Yelenosky.

“The movie gives me hope for my 5-year old daughter, Samantha. Whatever their dreams, there is something out there for all of our children,” Yelenosky said.

Actor with Down syndrome Peter ten Brink in new Hallmark movie

New movie based on an inspiring true story premieres Sunday, January 29 on ABC

from Hallmark:


John Corbett (Sex and the City, Hallmark Hall of Fame’s November Christmas) plays Michigan high school football coach and special-education teacher Mike Kersjes who helps his special-ed students achieve their impossible dream: to attend Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. Their inspiring journey – based on a true story – is recounted in a new Hallmark Hall of Fame film, A Smile as Big as the Moon, premiering on ABC Sunday, January 29, 2012, 9-11pm ET/PT.


In the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, many of the special-ed students are played by young actors who are, themselves, "special." Down syndrome, ADD, autism, dyslexia, etc. – these are real kids with real special needs playing real kids with real special needs.

from Make it Better by MIBS:

Peter ten Brink has been a fixture on the North Shore theater scene since he began acting at age 8.

But now, a national audience will get to know the New Trier High School teen when he appears in the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie “A Smile as Big as the Moon,” airing Jan. 29 on ABC.

Ten Brink plays Ben Schmidt, a high school student with Down syndrome who dreams of someday becoming an astronaut. His teacher, Mike Kersjes (played by John Corbett of "Sex and the City" and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" fame) is inspired by Ben’s dreams to try to get his class of special education students accepted into NASA’s Space Camp. The movie is based on a true-life account by Kersjes, who wrote a memoir of the same name.

The role came to ten Brink’s attention through the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles, which keeps a file of actors with Down syndrome. After finding out he was up for consideration, he took a whirlwind trip to North Carolina around Labor Day to audition. He got the call offering him the part, ten Brink said, while at McDonald’s “waiting for my Chicken Selects.”

“Ben Schmidt had Down syndrome like me. The character wants to go to Space Camp … but Space Camp is really for gifted children, not special needs,” ten Brink said. The story follows the struggles and triumphs of the class as they work toward their goal against all odds.

Ten Brink previously played the lead role in the independent short film “By Any Other Name” and also has a part in the upcoming feature length project “Nightlights,” both by Play On Productions. He got his start acting with Special Gifts Theatre, a Northbrook-based company that features actors with special needs.

He began working with New Trier’s Theatre program while he was still in junior high, landing a role in the school’s production of “The Music Man,” and has participated in New Trier Theatre classes throughout high school.

“Peter ten Brink has been very involved in our Theatre Workshop and Theatre 2: Acting courses,” said New Trier Performing Arts Coordinator Anne James-Noonan. “He is passionate about acting and has been an enthusiastic scene partner to many of our New Trier Theatre students.”

New Trier Theatre teacher Hilerre Kirsch said she has enjoyed ten Brink’s contributions to her classes.

“Peter’s passion for theatre was evident the first time I met him!” Kirsch said. “He was clearly serious about his acting and became a leader in his classes, offering advice and comments that were appreciated by his classmates.”

“A Smile as Big as the Moon” premieres on ABC on Sunday, Jan. 29, from 8-10 p.m. CST. More information about the film, including photos, interviews, and clips, can be found online at www.hhof.tv.