“The Jellybean Conspiracy,” the Actor’s Charitable Theatre’s newest production, is a play distinguished by more than just its left of center name. The play features a cast of around 42 actors, half of whom have special needs.

The show will consist of two separate acts. The first act, called “Voices of the Heart,” will be a variety-style showcase that will feature the entire cast and incorporate singing, dancing, readings and other performances. The second act will be a play titled “Dance With Me” about a teenage girl named Cricket and her struggle with learning to accept and celebrate her brother Tom, who has Down Syndrome.

The characters Cricket and Tom Terry are played by an actual brother and sister duo, Kayla and Ian Terry. For Kayla Terry, the dynamic between Cricket and Tom reflects the real struggles and triumphs siblings with and without special needs experience.

“It’s like playing a version of yourself. Especially if you have a sibling with special needs, I’m sure you can relate to Cricket’s struggle because there are times when it is difficult to accept the fact that your brother or sister is different,” Kayla Terry said. “Also, you have to be strong for them because people think differently of them.”

While “Dance With Me” focuses on the differences between Cricket and Tom, the play also draws similarities between people with and without special needs. The character Reese, played by Nick Motz, befriends Tom Terry because they can relate to experiences of not being accepted.

“Reese is a pretty awkward kid who’s been pushed around a lot,” Motz said. “That’s why he and Tom hit it off, because they can relate on a number of levels.”

Ian Terry, who started acting at a young age, originally found the play online and introduced it to ACT artistic director Joey Lay. Ian Terry said he has enjoyed being onstage and shares a love of country music with his character Tom Terry.

For Lay, the decision to stage “The Jellybean Conspiracy” simply made sense for the ACT because he said it aligned well with the theatre’s goals and allowed for inclusivity in the theatre.

“Our organization is based on giving back to the community and giving back to charity and it was just logical for us to do this,” Lay said. “[The play] fell in with our mission, which is to allow those in the community that might not always get to act in the theatre to [do so].”

For all the actors, “The Jellybean Conspiracy” offers a learning experience. People with special needs who may not otherwise be able to perform onstage will have that opportunity, while typically trained actors who may not otherwise get to work with special needs actors will get that experience from this play.

“It’s been a learning experience for everyone involved and I think that everybody is going to come out a better person because of it,” Kayla Terry said.

The themes of “The Jellybean Conspiracy” are also familiar to Lay, whose sister also has Down Syndrome.

“The whole concept of “The Jellybean Conspiracy” is that the whole world is like a jelly bean jar,” Lay said. “We all may be different colors, shapes, kinds, flavors but we all have a place and we all have a purpose.”

Though the story of “Dance With Me” focuses on the acceptance of a character with special needs, for Lay, the play’s message of acceptance extends to people of all races, creeds and genders.

“I think it just goes to show that if we all appreciate each other for our talents and our own individuality the world would be a better place,” Lay said.

“The Jellybean Conspiracy” opens Friday, Sept. 21 at 7:30 p.m. and will run through Sunday at the Bama Theatre. Tickets are $14 and can be purchased at theactonline.com