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The project is about letting those with a disability represent whatever or whomever they want through the creation and animation of what they design . During the workshop , the students are going to not only learn to create puppets that will their story , but will also learn how to manipulate them , make them work .
“ This is a chance to work with a unique and diverse group of artists and learn from each other ,” says Crispi Lord , Head Puppet Wrangler for Wide Open Children ’ s Theatre .
Crispi with the main character from Balloonacy ( 2019 )
In collaboration with Mind of a Snail and Wide-Open Children ’ s Theatre , this project hopes to do more than explore areas that have rarely been mined within the community , by taking the art of puppetry and making it more accessible to
Frosty and Phillip J Yettington III from Frosty the Snowperson ( 2019 )
persons with disabilities . It also wants to recognize disability as a positive force and introduce new ways to promote storytelling that reflects that experience . Puppets have long been used in satirical ways or to reflect the day ’ s political climate , so why not use them as an extension or a symbol of a person ’ s body and its experiences ? Because disability isn ’ t the same for everyone , stories will differ from person to person and will offer up a truly unique creation .
“ Wheel Voices : NO STRINGS ATTACHED ” is more than just representing and expressing living with disability in a new and exciting medium -- it ’ s also an opportunity to make connections with other artists and help grow participant ’ s circles in positive and inclusive ways . “ Community connections make our art better and building bridges between communities makes our hearts bigger . I can ' t wait to listen , learn , share and guide as we explore storytelling , disability and puppetry ,” says Lord .
Realwheels ’ ultimate hope is to create a brand new community stage production for 2023 that has evolved from the workshop processes .
If you ’ d like more information about Realwheels Theatre along with its many programs and productions , please visit Realwheels . ca . You can also follow them on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter .
In the next issue . . .
A new year means a new project – Take a special inside preview of Realwheels ’ most ambitious multi-media professional production to date . It promises to be unlike anything you ’ ve experienced before ! - Anglia Redding