It ’ s unfortunate , but playwrights with disabilities are generally absent from the artistic landscape . That ’ s another systemic barrier that the Playwriting Circle wants to break down . “ In performing arts in general , there is a desire to program plays that reflect the diversity of our society . In order to program works that depict a variety of lived experiences , we need to create them first ,” says Natasha Nadir , playwright and dramaturg for Realwheels Theatre . “ This is an opportunity for artists who live with disability to go through an intensive writing program that supports their process .”
As they explore the creative process , participants in the Circle receive ongoing input of their work from other students , as well as from Nadir . This feedback is meant to be constructive in nature to allow the playwright the room to let their script grow and evolve .
In December , as participants neared the end of the program , their plays took that next crucial step : having excerpts from their script performed in front of an audience in a staged reading Showcase of 10-minute scene excerpts , which was performed online again this year due to COVID restrictions . Each selection was read by professional actors – and for the first time this year , in front of a three-person jury , as well as an audience -- and from the work that was produced in the workshop , the jury selected one exceptional writer , who became Realwheels ’ Playwright-In- Residence .
The Playwright-in-Residence will receive a one-onone intensive six-month residency with Nadir and a $ 3000 prize and Realwheels ’ operational supports to put towards helping their manuscript reach the next level . “ The process of writing a play can only be strengthened by the support of a dramaturg , time , and resources . I am confident that whomever is awarded this residency will emerge from it with a very strong script that will find a place in Canadian theatre ,” says Nadir .
This is the first year that the position is being offered , an example of the type of growth and artist support that Tomas Mureika hopes to bring to Realwheels as the new Artistic Director . The idea for this new award stems from Mureika ’ s own successful roots in playwrighting and wanting to encourage and reward original playwrighting and
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to develop new voices in Canadian theatre . The Playwriting Circle is open to all Canadian residents who live with a disability and is completely free of charge .
Wheel Voices : NO
STRINGS ATTACHED In March , Realwheels will be presenting a free six-day puppetry workshop . “ Wheel Voices : NO STRINGS ATTACHED ” will present puppetry concepts that will allow participants to experiment with different types of puppets in order to find the best character or embodiment that will help them tell their own personal story .
Participants will be introduced to hand puppets , shadow puppets , rod-operated puppets and an exo-skeleton that will require multiple people to operate .
Crispi at the puppet workshop with Pete and the Wall of puppets