Giving and Taking Voice in Learning Disabled Theatre

Giving and Taking Voice in Learning Disabled Theatre provides a unique insight into the question of 'voice in learning disabled theatre' and what is gained and lost in making performance. It is grounded in the author's 18 years of making theatre with Different Light Theatre company in Christchurch, New Zealand, and includes contributions from the artists themselves. The book draws on an extensive archive of performer interviews, recordings of rehearsal processes, and informal logs of traveling together and sharing experience. It explores the practical aesthetics of theatre-making and its ethical and political implications, relevant to any collaborative process seeking to represent the under- or un-represented. It also presents a case for how listening to learning disabled artists' speech encourages attunement to indigenous knowledge and the cries of the planet in the current socio-ecological crisis.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 202 pages
Publication date: 26 April 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Giving and Taking Voice in Learning Disabled Theatre is a groundbreaking exploration into the realm of 'voice' in learning disabled theatre, delving into the complexities and nuances of its presence. Authored by the experienced director of Different Light Theatre company in Christchurch, New Zealand, the book draws upon an extensive archive of performer interviews, recordings of rehearsal processes, and informal logs of traveling and sharing experiences. These accounts engage with the practical aesthetics of theatre-making, as well as their far-reaching ethical and political implications, which are of utmost relevance to any collaborative process aimed at representing the under- or un-represented.

The central question posed by this book is how care and support can be harmoniously combined with artistic challenge and rigor. It presents a compelling case for the importance of listening to the speech of learning disabled artists, as it fosters a heightened attunement to indigenous knowledge and the urgent cries of our planet in the midst of the current socio-ecological crisis.

This book is a vital and invaluable resource for anyone with an interest in learning disabled theatre, whether they are performers, directors, dramaturgs, critics, or spectators. It offers a profound understanding of the unique perspectives and artistic expressions of this marginalized community, shedding light on the transformative power of theatre in their lives. Through its rich and insightful content, Giving and Taking Voice in Learning Disabled Theatre contributes to the broader discourse on inclusivity, diversity, and the representation of marginalized voices in the arts.

Weight: 328g
Dimension: 154 x 234 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367538972