Graeae, the UK’s leading disabled-led theatre company, has launched a major new initiative aiming to shape the role that disabled artists will play as UK theatre tries to rebuild following the Covid-crisis.
Championed by Graeae patrons Harriet Walter and Mat Fraser, BEYOND aims to integrate disabled artists into the creative structures of theatres and to create opportunities for disabled artists to be at the forefront of a wide range of new and emerging work.
Announcing the project, Graeae’s artistic director Jenny Sealey said: “The last few months have been truly terrible and everyone in the arts is struggling to make sense of it all emotionally and economically.
“There has been a silver lining as we received the news of our Arts Council England Transforming Leadership funding before lockdown and we were acutely aware if we did not act fast starting up with the programme, Deaf and disabled artists in this current landscape would be absent from artistic conversations, would fall by the wayside and be left behind. This is NOT going to happen.”
Sealey said: “I’m so thrilled we’re launching this programme now, giving Deaf and disabled artists the space, time and money, they need to have the artistic breakthroughs that they deserve. We are working with our brilliant partner theatres, some new to the Graeae family and others who it’s great to be working with again. Together, we are well and truly going BEYOND!”
Backing the scheme, leading actress Walter said: “Once again Graeae is leading the way in connected and connective thinking with its new artistic development venture – BEYOND. Theatre post-Covid is never going to look the same and Graeae is in the vanguard of re-shaping the future for Deaf and disabled artists. Graeae has always been in the business of knocking down barriers and building bridges and its undaunted optimism is what we all need.”
Fellow patron, actor/musician Fraser added: “At a time when Disability Arts and disabled artists are in danger of regressing because of ‘Covid fallout’, Graeae come forward with this great new initiative for would be disabled creative artists.
“BEYOND has got many theatres on board, pledging to improve their relationship in real terms with Deaf and disabled creatives. The initiative will hopefully lead to an impressive increase in work by and with Deaf and disabled theatre creatives across the Midlands and North of the UK especially. Applying to the programme could lead to a new you, and even exceed your dreams, to go BEYOND!”
It is hoped that BEYOND will act as bridge between artists and organisational leaders and national venues to enable the Deaf and disabled artists will be able to realise their creative potential and ensure their voices are heard as the country moves beyond the Covid-crisis.
Graeae is partnering with Bolton’s Octagon Theatre, Curve in Leicester, Nottingham Playhouse, Cast in Doncaster, Hull Truck Theatre, Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot, Live Theatre in Newcastle and Northern Stage in Newcastle. Each venue has pledged to provide skill development and advice and offer support for a new wave of Deaf and disabled-led work.
The participating theatres will offer individual artists who enroll in the scheme:
- Creative space and support to explore theatrical ideas
- Shadowing opportunities within R&D and rehearsal processes
- Mentoring support
- Support in sourcing funding and bursaries
- Access to existing artist development schemes
- Access to a digital toolkit on Graeae’s website that will provide practical guidance and learning resources (available from autumn/winter 2020)
There will be at least 100 hours of mentoring on offer and 600 hours of rehearsal space will be made available across the initiative. Deaf and disabled artists at all stages in their careers are incited to enrol in the BEYOND programme via Graeae’s website www.graeae.org.
Angela Thomas
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