All the World is an Accessible Stage

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The lights go dim and the spotlight is pointed stage left. There you are; rolling out just about to utter your first line. Think this couldn’t be you? Think again. People with physical, hearing, and visual impairments are slowly becoming accepted into the world of theater. Workshops and classes are sprouting up all over the country to help actors with disabilities develop their acting and singing skills. With adaptations and an open-mind, you could be just as talented as any Broadway star. And other than gaining notoriety, theater is also a great way to build self-confidence, meet new people, and develop your social skills.

Act I: Beginners
If you’re a person with a physical disability and are interested in getting involved in theater, whether it be recreationally or professionally, research local theaters in your city to see which of them are accessible. Getting cast in a local play is a great way to jump head-first into this exciting art form. Many local theaters don’t expect you to have any theatrical experience. And as long as you go in with a desire to learn, more times than not, directors will give you a chance. Don’t expect to get cast for the lead role. Start small and just be happy to get a part as an extra or a behind the scenes role. Watch others as you begin to fine-tune your acting skills.

If you want to get more serious about developing your skills, try to find a school or theater in your area that offers workshops or classes on singing and acting skills. The National Theatre Workshop of the Handicapped in Belfast, ME, http://www.ntwh.org/index.html, is a theater and school that is exclusively for actors with physical disabilities and teaches them techniques to overcome their disability. Yes these theaters do exist! The following list is of other theaters that specifically cater to disabled actors. There are about two-dozen theater companies in the United States alone that exclusively feature disabled actors. These theaters usually provide training as well: US and International Theatre Companies with Performers with Disabilities - http://nadc.ucla.edu/theatre1.html