Finding the Ability in Disability: Performance and Panel

Hosted by Nicholas Linnehan, Executive Director of Identity Theater Company, panelists will include Debra Otté, Professor at Montclair University; Ike Schambelan, Artistic Director of Theatre Breaking Through Barriers; June Rachelson Ospa, Director of Youth Programming at AMAS. Disabled artists, academic personnel and activists will discuss barriers for disabled artists and how to overcome them, as well as how to increase visibility, among other topics.

Immediately preceding the panel discussion, disabled actors will take the stage in a scene from Shakespeare’s Richard III, performing in traditionally non-disabled roles. Conversely, Richard III will be performed by a non-disabled actor, which in turn becomes his disability.

Following the panel discussion, there will be a full reading of Richard III for anyone who wishes to stay.