Disability/Chronic Illness in Theatre
Disability is slowly gaining more visibility on the stage and behind the scenes, but we still have a long way to go. Disabled and chronically ill individuals have so much to offer the theatre industry, which has struggled to bring in new audiences amid rising ticket prices, monopolized theatre spaces and celebrity-led shows that still don't make a profit in our capitalist-driven society.
What would theatre look like, if instead of attempting to squeeze disabled people into the inherently inaccessible form of traditional theatre, disabled and chronically ill people re-imagined it for themselves from the ground up?
This project brings together disabled theatre artists from across the country to do just this. From directors to stage managers to front of house, these individuals come from all aspects of theatre-making. Some work in community theatre, some do experimental solo work, others perform on Broadway. Some have had to quit working in theatre all together because of their disabilities or illnesses, but want nothing more than to re-imagine a theatre world that genuinely takes their needs and wants into account.
Check out the project needs below!
This is an ongoing community project that consists of workshops, theatre outings and digital discussions, with the potential of so much more. Artists not located in New York City are encouraged to participate with the help of volunteers, using experimental digital tech, ensuring they are as fully immersed in the conversations and workshops as possible. Acknowledging that the project itself is a way of finding new ways of working, we are always excited to try new things in order to accommodate access needs, expand the limits of time, money, energy and distance, and failure is celebrated as a part of the process.
Currently, in order to meet on a more consistent basis, our needs include the following:
1. Collaborator(s) interested and excited to take on administrative tasks such as scheduling and sending emails, finding spaces, coordinating volunteers and tech, etc.
2. An archivist (ideally disabled or chronically ill) interested in taking notes/recordings and/or doing some research, as we have our various sessions and outings in order to track the things that we're doing, what is working, things we can try, problems we're facing, etc.
3. Funding. This could come in the form of a grant writer, or good samaritan interested in helping out with the expenses of things like ASL interpreters, Audio interpreters, tech, space, supplies, personnel, transportation (particularly for those who aren't able to use public transportation), etc.
These people (unless otherwise specified) could be disabled/chronically ill or able-bodied with some experience working with disabled/chronically ill folks. If you don't have experience, reach out, and we can see how much bandwidth we have in the moment to do some interviewing/training, etc. You don't need to be based in NYC or have experience in theatre, just the interest and motivation. As of now, no one is being paid to participate in this project, while we would love for that to change, check out #3!
If you're interested, be sure to friend and message me on Instagram. More information on the Contact page.