WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — What began as an unexpected friendship at a summer camp more than two decades ago has grown into a lifelong bond and helped inspire a Wilmington nonprofit that brings people together through the performing arts.
For Dylan Patterson, co-founder of Theatre for All, that friendship has become an important part of his life and his commitment to helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Patterson is this month’s honoree for Donna Gregory’s Extraordinary Person of the Month.
His story began in 1999, when he traveled to Martha’s Vineyard to make a fundraising video for a camp serving people with disabilities. When he arrived, he learned he would also be working as a camp counselor.
That’s where he met 13-year-old Jeremy Vest.
“We bonded in the first 10 minutes that we met, um, at that camp on Martha’s Vineyard. He brought up the band Kiss, and I had loved Kiss when I was you know, 10, 12,” Patterson recalled.
Vest has Williams syndrome, a genetic condition often associated with a strong affinity for music. An accomplished drummer, he quickly connected with Patterson over their shared musical interests.
That connection developed into a friendship that has lasted more than 25 years.
“He was a groomsman at my wedding,” Patterson said. “He’s like my little brother.”
Vest says the friendship has been equally meaningful to him.
“Dylan is a really special friend of mine. And I’m so happy that we get to spend time together, and Dylan is a very big part of my life and my family,” Vest said.
The experience at camp also helped inspire Patterson to create something similar in Wilmington.
He brought together Gina Gambony and Kim Henry, and the three helped establish Theatre for All in 2014.
The nonprofit uses theater and other performing arts to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, providing opportunities for creative expression, friendship, and community involvement.
Since its founding, the organization has grown significantly.
“Back in 2014, we were actually working with approximately 20 people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. It’s now 2026, and we’re working with more like 200,” said Gambony, the organization’s executive managing director.
Patterson, who teaches English at Cape Fear Community College, serves on Theatre for All’s board and volunteers at both of its Saturday theater classes each week.
Gambony says his dedication has been a constant throughout the organization’s growth.
“He comes to every class every single week with our, uh, with our theater groups. And he just does this as his life purpose almost, aside from his work,” she said.
But Theatre for All has become much more than a place to rehearse and perform.
Executive Artistic Director Kim Henry says the organization has created lasting relationships that extend well beyond the stage.
“We obviously make plays. We also go on trips. We’re a big social group. You know, we do all sorts of things together, and it just helps us all be a really connected and integral part of society and of the community here. I mean he truly helped make this all happen,” Henry said.
The organization also played a role in bringing Vest and his family to Wilmington, allowing the longtime friends to spend more time together.
“Dylan has helped me through some really bad times, and I’m thankful that he’s by my side,” Vest said.
For Patterson, the support has gone both ways.
Although he volunteers his time each week without pay, he says the relationships he has built through Theatre for All have become an essential part of his own life.
“I really can’t imagine my life without Theatre For All, without this community of people,” Patterson said.
He recalled how that community supported him following his father’s death two years ago.
“When my father passed away two years ago, to come in on Saturday, you know, barely able to walk in and have this community of people support me, it’s symbiotic. It’s mutually beneficial.” Patterson said.
What started with one friendship has grown into a community that supports hundreds of people, including the man who helped bring it together.
And week after week, Patterson continues showing up for the people who have become such an important part of his life.
You can learn more about Theatre For All here.
You can nominate someone for Donna Gregory’s Extraordinary People here. All honorees get a year of free car washes from Tommy’s Express Car Wash.
This segment honors Donna Gregory, a beloved WWAY anchor who died in 2024 after a battle with lung cancer.
View more Extraordinary People stories here.
