Mélange Accessibility for All Magazine July 2021 | Page 100

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Emily Grace Brook , Mason Temple
Realwheels ’ professional performances always consist of an integrated cast and crew and their community-based projects and programs primarily involve those living with disabilities . Their staff is also integrated - co-leaders , Cadence Konopaki ( Managing Director ) is ablebodied , and Tomas Mureika ( Artistic Director ), lives with Parkinson ’ s .
Professional productions at Realwheels Theatre Performances are geared towards deepening the audience ’ s understanding of the disability experience . Over the years , some of their major productions have included :
SKYDIVE ( 2007 ): A multi-awardwinning production performed in regional theatres in eight cities across Canada .
SPINE ( 2010 ): A playful multimedia exploration of identity in the face of a sudden life transformation , pushing the boundaries of technology along the way
WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY ? ( 2014 ) ignited dialogue around right-to-die issues while garnering six Jessie Richardson Award nominations and winning two .
CREEPS ( 2016 ): The first fully-integrated performance of David Freeman ’ s play in its 45-year history , garnering five Jessie nominations and winning three , including Outstanding Production and Artistic Achievement .
SEQUENCE ( 2018 ): The first integrated production of this play , featuring an actor who is blind portraying a blind character and an actor with autism portraying a character with another disability .
ACT OF FAITH ( 2019 ): A new play inspired by an actual and controversial event in Vancouver ’ s disability community . ACT OF FAITH featured an integrated cast and included wheelchair dance