THEATRE COMPANY USES NEW INTERVIEW PROCESSES TO EMPLOY LEARNING DISABLED CREATIVES
Bradford-based Mind the Gap is one of Europe’s largest learning disability theatre companies. They are currently celebrating 30 years of championing learning disability arts and this year launchedStaging Change, a new project that focuses on getting people with learning disabilities employed in the arts.
Working with five partner venues, including Leeds Playhouse and Square Chapel Arts Centre in Halifax, Staging Change looks at creating opportunities, the challenges of accessibility, representation and the curation of work.
As part of the project, Mind the Gap has employed four interns, each with a learning disability, to work on a new outdoor project for 2019 ‘ZARA’.
The roles of the interns are Assistant Producer, Assistant Director, Researcher and Creative Engagement Facilitator.
Deborah Dickinson, Associate Producer at Mind the Gap, explains:
“Mind the Gap has always created work with learning disabled artists – not just for them; it’s where we differ from many others. We strive to ensure it is their voice that is heard and their stories that are told, so having people with learning disabilities on the production team is hugely important to this new project.”
While Mind the Gap has previously provided paid supported employment for performers, this is the first time the company has employed learning disabled workers in wider roles.
“Ensuring that people with learning disabilities can work without risk of losing longer term benefits that are essential to their welfare and financial security is complex,” continues Deborah.
“Each intern has a specially tailored package based on their individual circumstances and needs.”
To ensure the application and interview processes were fully accessible, Mind the Gap worked in partnership with external consultant Vicky Ackroyd from Totally Inclusive People, a company that offers consultation, interactive disability awareness and equality training around Yorkshire.
“We have learned so much throughout this process – even with our 30 years of experience we accept that we are not always perfect; for example, we can use a lot of theatre jargon that is confusing to anyone outside the industry, and for people with learning disabilities it can be off-putting, meaning they can’t get past the first stage.”
Paul Wilshaw was successful in securing the role of Assistant Producer:
“I have worked in theatre for 20 years as an artist, facilitator and producer. I’ve been lucky enough to secure funding and grants to be able to make work, but it’s not easy for people with learning disabilities. The work Mind the Gap do challenges this and I’m delighted to be working with the team on this exciting project, and hopefully more in the future.”
Mind the Gap is now collaborating with six venues around the country to help them work with learning disabled artists, audiences, and creatives.
“As a direct result of working with us, Leeds Playhouse has adapted its audition process for learning disabled artists,” says Deborah.
“And we are delighted that one of our own resident artists had a successful audition has secured a role in their production of ‘Be My Baby’ next year.”
Jordan Freud is the Assistant Director on ZARA, he is an emerging director-dramaturg and an aspiring Artistic Director.
“Since my diagnosis with Asperger’s Syndrome aged eight my dream has been to tell stories that shouldn’t, or wouldn’t, otherwise be told – to break taboos,” he explains.
“I’m excited by ‘ZARA’ as it tells the story of learning disabled parenthood; I’m particularly looking forward to assisting in the devising process with writers and actors to develop our innovative mix of film with live, outdoors performance.”
ZARA will incorporate live streaming, live performance from a cast of hundreds, large-scale puppeteering and a giant ‘baby’. A huge-impact piece of outdoor theatre that has been five years in the making it is bringing together an international team of directors, choreographers, producers, designers, technicians, puppeteers, musicians and actors.
Deborah concludes: “We want to see people with learning disabilities represented in decision-making roles backstage and on stage. We want people with learning disabilities to know that they too can apply for the jobs that interest them and we are working with venues up and down the country to achieve these objectives. We are staging the change.”
Staging Change is a new leadership programme, made possible through Mind the Gap’s Arts Council England NPO funding and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, based around dynamic three-way partnerships between Mind the Gap, arts venues and learning disabled artists. Staging Change aims to increase the visibility of learning disabled artists in the wider arts sector and offer skills development and advocacy opportunities for learning disabled people.
To find out more about Staging Change and Mind the Gap’s work visit
arts@mind-the-gap.org.uk / 01274 487390
