To Table of Contents
( also referred to as mixed ability dance ) as part of our storytelling vocabulary .
Community Productions The “ Wheel Voices ” projects are similar to a collective theatre company within a company , with work often devised and performed by artists who identify as living with disabilities . Though there are variations in the cast , they often remain for multiple successive ” Wheel Voices ” shows , giving these community-based performances an identity of their own and the feeling of an ensemble company . A variety of material under a unifying thematic link is usually presented , such as :
COMEDY ON WHEELS with a stand-up comedic bent
SEXY VOICES a burlesque-type show focusing on disability and sexuality
WHEEL VOICES : TUNE IN !, their most recent , which is framed as a musical variety show encompassing material ranging from original musical numbers , emotional poetic monologues to TV-styled comedic sketches . The “ Wheel Voices ” productions are themed under a common banner but they are representative of the ideas , writing and performances of the wide variety of participants . These are then shaped by a supportive , creative team into cohesive productions .
Audience Experiences Realwheels is interested in creating professional world class art that stands up against any other theatre companies . “ Although since inception Realwheels has always been a haven for artists who identify with a disability , we are crafting inclusionary integrated productions that reflect the reality of the world around us , both on and back-stage ,” Mureika said .
“ With 25 % of Canadians identifying as living with a disability and that number only poised to grow , Realwheels wishes to create barrier-breaking productions that represent this population – and stage a wide variety of shows where disability need not be the driving conflict of the story , but rather , forms the landscape on which universal themes are debated on stage .”
Their interest is in creating unique , multi-media audience experiences , incorporating cutting-edge digital and streaming technology alongside inventive stagecraft while supporting the human element and the power of the written word . The theatre ’ s goal is to create entertaining and exciting new productions which audiences would be thinking about and discussing long after the house lights have gone up . The integration of digital and streaming projects also greatly increase accessibility and reach to new and existing audiences and more inclusive demographics . These core values were set out in Realwheels ’ founder and first Artistic Director , James Sanders ’ official mandate for the company .
Actors with a disability and their role in raising awareness Raising awareness is always possible . This is dependent on the roles performers with disabilities are given and the intent of that casting . Compare and contrast Michael J . Fox in “ The Good Wife ” and Alan Alda in “ Marriage Story .” Both actors play lawyers in these dramatic works . Both actors are actually living with Parkinson ’ s Disorder ( PD ) and are outspoken advocates for awareness of the cause .
In his role , Fox uses his Parkinson ’ s symptoms to deconstruct negative preconceptions about PD to his advantage , by focusing on his symptoms as deliberate character traits , which , based on how his character has been scripted , he utilizes as an actor ’ s tool to define the character , manipulate and intelligently outwit his legal rivals . He effectively uses his PD as a “ secret power ” to best his opponents by using their