#interruption

Outside of the University of East London

After a leisurely Sunday off (where Mike and I learned pepper mills are surprisingly difficult to acquire here and that the Sunday roast is a culinary masterpiece), our group set off bright and early to the University of East London for a full day of thought-provoking workshops. Upon arrival, we were treated to a very pleasant air-conditioned atrium where Liselle Terret welcomed us to the University of East London via Zoom. Liselle was supposed to join us in-person; unfortunately, Covid had other plans…such is the state of the world right now…but theatre people are resilient and can make almost anything work!

Liselle Terret on Zoom

A Subversive Celebration 

Our first workshop of the day was led by Adam, Emma, and Emily of Not Your Circus Dog Collective- a group of learning-disabled and neurodivergent artists who aims to celebrate people with learning disabilities while challenging and interrupting society’s problematic and misinformed perceptions. Examples of simple things that can be done to make rehearsal and workshop spaces more inclusive were articulated at the top of this session. Among them were allowing participants to sit on the floor or in a chair or lying on the floor, giving permission at the start for people to step out of the room if needed, and pointing out a futon for those with chronic pain who may need a reprieve. It was an important reminder of the simple ways of creating inclusive spaces. 

Not Your Circus Dog Collective’s production called Not F**cking Sorry, which Liselle directed, is the groundbreaking cabaret that was the center piece of this workshop. It is an “artistic political response to the ongoing systematic discrimination and exclusion of learning disabled and neurodivergent artists…” Adam, Emma, and Emily showed us a few clips that illustrated the purpose of the show through song, dance, personal stories, and real facts and figures. The clips were, at times, funny and, at times, heartbreaking. Check out their website and watch their videos. Not F**cking Sorry really does a tremendous amount to shift the narrative for the learning disabled and neurodivergent towards celebrating and embracing all aspects of self. 

Click here to visit Not Your Circus Dog Collective's website. 

Click here to visit Disability Arts Online.

Click here to visit Access All Areas.

Ensemble groups sharing their experiences with discrimination 
Photo Credit: Jonathan Jones

Accountable Spaces 

After a lunch break around Stratford (where there is an abundance of American fast food like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and KFC for those who would like to indulge), we returned for the next session centered around anti-racism in the theatre, facilitated by mezze eade, a creative practitioner who does work at the acclaimed Donmar Warehouse. mezze introduced the concept of “accountable spaces” in the place of “safe spaces" to account for the fact that people are not perfect, but should be accountable and apologize to remedy any harm they have done. mezze also talked about “interruption” to describe challenging harmful thoughts, words, and behaviors and shifting the narrative towards care and inclusivity. Of all the anti-racist perspectives mezze introduced, I think the most profound was that if we want people to come on the journey of anti-racism and inclusivity, one must extend the offer to them. Alienating, calling out, and blaming people only makes them double down harder. If we call people in instead of out, and assign responsibility instead of casting blame, and don't "cancel" people so reactively or quickly, couldn't that encourage more meaningful change? 

mezze leading the Ensemble in a game about being present 
Photo Credit: Jonathan Jones

More adventures in educational theatre land to come! 

11 July 2022