Theatre That Doesn't Give a Shit

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime! I remember reading the book during my Freshman year of high school. Soon afterward it became a Broadway show. I wasn't at all familiar with the show and had always assumed that the lead was actually autistic or had Asperger's syndrome. That is until Andrea pointed out to me this morning that a "normie" was cast as the lead. 

This morning, we were discussing how the lead in our version of the play should cast someone who is on the spectrum and Andrea pointed out that it was actually another company that set that precedent. She also noted that the real question is whether we will stick with the precedent or go back. So to answer Austin's question; Swine Palace. 

In all honesty though, Indiana Rep is the first to cast a person on the spectrum for the lead in TCIOTDITN. Shockingly, this show opened LAST YEAR, while my naive ass was thinking - "yeah, they totally cast an autistic dude on Broadway."



I found an interesting quote from Mickey Rowe, "I’ve had to be an actor my whole life to pass as neurotypical. Being an actor comes naturally to me. I use scripting in my daily life.” This is so profoundly interesting and sad at the same time. Interesting because it makes me wonder how many people (autistic or not) pretend to be "neurotypical" when they are not and can pass? It's sad because we live in a society that makes people believe there is only one way to live a full life. 

Another example is when Madison Ferris was cast in The Glass Menagerie as Laura. Madison has muscular dystrophy so she needs to have a wheelchair on stage by necessity. The play opened at The Belasco. There is a New York Times article about the show and it brings to light some interesting questions. Is it exploitative to bring in a person who needs a wheelchair and have her climb stairs on stage? The question that really got my attention was this, "Perhaps these detractors are focusing on moments like the one in which Amanda, Laura's mother, tells her: 'You're not crippled. You just have a little defect - hardly noticeable, even!' How can such a line make sense when there's a wheelchair onstage?" At what point do you stop serving the text? Honestly, in my opinion, I think it was a great choice.

 https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/24/theater/a-wheelchair-on-broadway-isnt-exploitation-its-progress.html

Comments

  1. LisaApril 28, 2018 at 7:36 AM

    I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this upcoming Swine Palace selection and applaud your interesting take on Austin's prompt. Only last week in our class discussion did "Nothing For Us Without Us" challenge me to include neuroability in the morality monologue that is my emerging identity as a theatre practitioner. I hadn't even considered merging my experiences of students with autism and severe and profound music makers with casting choices in professional theatre. Why!?! I am dumbfounded for having NOT thought about it sooner. Of course ALL can be included and must be included. And this comes back to not only, "why not," but WHAT ARE WE DOING THEATRE FOR if not to give equal voice to those who are made to feel invisible. I'm excited for the possibilities of this new project. If you get a chance, look up EPIC PLAYERS out of NYC.

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