Please give your name, area/s of work in the performing arts and details of any organisation/s you are currently working with.
I'm Alex Bulmer – a Canadian theatre writer, performer, musician, performer, voice teacher and director now living in London. I've recently worked with the National Theatre, Royal Court, Graeae, BBC, Diverse City, Welcome Trust. I'm an Associate Artist with Zink Arts and a Writer in Residence at Theatre Centre. I'm have been awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship. Visit alexbulmer.co.uk for full bio.

If you are happy to do so, provide brief details of your impairments / disabilities.
I'm blind and was once sighted. I also have other hidden impairments which affect my hearing and mobility.

How did you get started in the arts?
I studied drama at University as part of a Humanities BA. I was accepted into a top actor training school in Canada and have completed a Post Graduate Diploma in voice studies at Central School of Speech & Drama. Initially I found work as an actress, cabaret performer and accepted performance jobs to enable me (financially) to work create my own work. I did have an agent initially who predominately got me short term jobs in film but the majority of my work has come through my own networks, auditions, making phone calls, meeting casting directors, taking my own initiative and being an active member of the theatre community.

Did you have any training? If so, where did you study/train? I have taken part in a lot of movement and voice training which I believe is really important if you are serious about acting. At the time (Canada in the 1980's) there were no inclusive workshops and no such thing as 'access' so these were mainstream courses. I had to call ahead and speak to the workshop leader about my disability and I found most artists, although maybe unfamiliar with working with visually impaired participants, were open to try it and learn form the experience. I suppose I was a guinea pig in many ways. When you are disabled you have to be prepared that it might be uncomfortable at times. One has to be a bit steely about feeling like a lab rat in workshops or being 'fascinating' to other participants. I had one great teacher at Central who was very good about working with me to prepare for a workshop. He said "I'll never single you out. If we are adapting the exercise to make it work for you then everyone in the room will do the same exercise". I learnt from that experience how to tell teachers what support I needed and how I wanted to be treated.

As I developed as an artist I began writing more and more and worked with schemes for new writing and new playwrights. My career in the UK was launched on the back of a new writing scheme at Polka Theatre. I wrote Castoffs for Channel 4 and afterwards went on to gain an MA in Screen Writing from the London College of Communications.

What was your first professional job/role in the arts?
My first job was going on tour in Canada with a small theatre company. I was hired to join the team as an actor and musician (I played guitar) and began to script write for them. I found that it really opened doors for me because I could diversify across acting, music, writing. You're bound to get a job if you can take on multiple roles

What do you regard as your biggest success or achievement?
A turning point for me was as a writer when I wrote a play called 'Smudge' that came out of my experience of sight loss. I didn't intend to write a play I just wrote about my experience and my feelings. Ironically it was at a point when I thought my career in the performing arts was over and my writing was kind of a farewell to the life that I knew. It ended up launching me and got nominated for all sorts of Awards. It bought me back to the UK and had a very successful run in London at Oval House.

Did any particular individual inspire you in your journey to being an artist? This could be a famous person, an established artist or someone much closer to home.
An inspirational writer called Lin Coghlan who I met in the early 90's. She was the first artist I had ever met who really had a political voice behind what she was doing. She worked closely with actors and had a huge impact on me at the beginning.
Another person is my Director friend in Canada Sarah Stanley who also has a political voice behind her work. She makes very clear choices based on her commitment to use her artistic work for positive change.

If you could give one piece of advice to a young person who is disabled and who wishes to pursue a career in the performing arts, what would it be?
Know yourself because there will be a lot of lies about who you are based on your disability or stereotype. Keep a lot of friends around you. Being human makes us vulnerable. Being disabled makes us even more vulnerable. There is always a risk of being categorised or stereotyped so be clear inside of who you really are.

Made a wide network of connections. For me it was important to diversify my skills but I hope we I hope we are coming to a time in this country when someone really can focus on being a writer or an actor or a director and not have to diversify as much as the rest of us who have paved the way. Don't ever think that you've learnt it all. Take criticism and make it work for you. Find out how you can learn from the criticism that you have been given.
Some people don't like me for saying this but I believe that the opportunities for disabled people in the UK are far better than those in anywhere else I have ever lived. That's not to say that improvements aren't needed but in my experience the UK is way ahead of the game and there is an edge here that I don't experience in the USA or Canada. I've noticed a big change in the last 10 years and a new awareness and commitment to address inequality in the Performing Arts. In that respect it is a great time for emerging artists to be coming into this world.

 

1.    Please give your name, area/s of work in the performing arts and details of any organisation/s you are currently working with.
       I’m Milton Lopes, I’m an independent theatre artist based in London since 2007.  I was born in the Cape Verde Islands and grew up in Portugal.
      
2.    If you are happy to do so, provide brief details of your impairments / disabilities.
       I have a condition call Symbrachydactyly.  No one knows the cause of it, but it means you are born with missing, webbed or shortened fingers, so on my left hand I have one thumb and no fingers.  It affects 1 in 30,000 people.

3.    How did you get started in the arts? 
       I always loved watching films and liked the idea of acting.  My Mum said I should give it a go so I joined a short course at an amateur theatre group in Portugal when I was 17.  It was an incredible experience, I got to learn about acting, make-up, lighting and sound.  I became a member of the group and discovered improvisation and performed in plays.  I was the only member of the group with a disability.

4.    Did you have any training?  If so, where did you study/train?
       I gained a degree in Theatre Studies in Portugal and have been training in circus for the past five years in London, working with leading tutors at Circus Space and Upswing.

5.    What was your first professional job/role in the arts?  How did you get from there to where you are now?  Please provide a brief career history.
       My first professional acting roles after graduating were in soap operas in Portugal and I also had acting roles in the theatre.  My big break came in a film ‘The Dauphin’ which was very successful in Portugal.  But as time went on, I felt more and more typecast.  It wasn’t easy being both mixed race and disabled, as attitudes in Portugal can still be old fashioned.  So I worked with Graeae in London on ‘Bent’ and decided to move to London permanently in 2007.  Since moving to London, I’ve worked with companies on projects including musical theatre, aerial shows and singing in a rock band.  Currently, I’m playing the lead role in ‘Threepenny Opera’ a Production by Graeae, New Wolsey Theatre, Birmingham Rep, Nottingham Playhouse and West Yorkshire Playhouse which is touring February to May 2014.  I’m also one of the performers in Extraordinary Bodies, a new integrated circus company created by Diverse City and Cirque Bijou which I’m very excited about.

6.    What do you regard as your biggest success or achievement?
       Being an aerial performer in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics performing in front of a worldwide audience of 1 billion was the most incredible experience.  Training for the performance with disabled people, every day seeing them do extraordinary things, challenging themselves.  The message was ‘we’re here, don’t ignore us’ and it was amazing to feel I belonged to this incredible group of people.

7.    Did any particular individual inspire you in your journey to being an artist?  This could be a famous person, an established artist or someone much closer to home. 
       The leader of the amateur theatre group I joined as a teenager was inspirational and made me feel I could achieve anything, my hand wasn’t an issue, he gave me the courage to apply to train as an actor and treated me the same as everyone else in the group.

8.    If you could give one piece of advice to a young person who is disabled and who wishes to pursue a career in the performing arts, what would it be?
       Never give up, no matter what obstacles you may find.  Making a career and a living in the arts is hard for everybody, but be prepared to work twice as hard if you’re disabled.  You’ve got to really want it, but if you do, go for it.   Be hopeful, there will be difficult days, but don’t let them drag you down, you’ll get there in the end.  Until 2012, I worked in all sorts of jobs to earn a living, it’s only since 2012 I’ve been able to work full-time as an artist.  But it’s an amazing life, I have no regrets.

Milton's showreel can be seen here.

Please give your name, area/s of work in the performing arts and details of any organisation/s you are currently working with.
My name is Chris Pavia. I am a professional dancer and choreographer and a longstanding member of Stopgap Dance Company (www.stopgapdance.com). I am an artist with learning disabilities and am proud to be chosen by Mencap as someone with Downs Syndrome achieving excellence in their career. I am lucky because I love what I do!

How did you get started in the arts and how has your career progressed since then?
I started dancing when I was 16 at Ridgeway School in Plymouth (ridgeway.plymouth.sch.uk). I met Stopgap Dance Company when I took part in a workshop with them and was invited to join Stopgap in 1997 as a Trainee. I became a Stopgap apprentice in 1999 and completed a Foundation GNVQ in Performing Arts at Brooklands College, Weybridge. I became a full time dancer with the company in 2000.

As a member of Stopgap I have worked with choreographers including Adam Benjamin, Betina Strickler, Hofesh Shechter, Thomas Mettler, Nathalie Pernette, Rob Tannion and Thomas Noone. I have toured both nationally and internationally with Stopgap.

Alongside dancing for the company I have collaborated and led on choreography. As a choreographer I co-choreographed Chris et Lucy with Lucy Bennett and in 2008 was the first choreographer with a learning disability to be selected for Resolution! with Statues of Darkness. In 2010 I choreographed Shadowed Voices, a duet for Stopgap trainees, that has been performed at schools and conferences across the UK, as well as in Albania for the Albanian President in 2010. Most recently I choreographed Captured by the Dark for Resolution! 2013 and I have been commissioned to create a new piece for Liberty Festival 2014. I am currently touring and performing with Stopgap in Artificial Things – see stopgapdance.com/home.

What do you regard as your biggest success or achievement?
I don’t want to get a big ego so this is a hard question to answer! I suppose my biggest achievement has been to keep developing as a dancer and to keep learning. Also to be able to choreograph work and collaborate with dancers that I have never worked with before.  I am the first learning disabled choreographer to be commissioned and have my work tour nationally (Stopgap will be performing The Awakening at outdoor festivals this summer). I feel lucky to be a voice for other learning disabled artists and I try to lead from my heart.

Did any particular individual inspire you in your journey to being an artist?
The whole Stopgap team, both artistic and office team, have been very supportive. Lucy Bennet as the artistic director has been my mentor and all of the dancers and the interns have inspired, supported and helped me in my career.

If you could give one piece of advice to a young person who is disabled and who wishes to pursue a career in the performing arts, what would it be?
The more you follow your dreams the more you can achieve your goals. It can be difficult and challenging but try to remember what your dreams are and work for them. Surround yourself with supportive people and follow your heart. 

 

Please give your name, area/s of work in the performing arts and details of any organisation/s you are currently working with.
My name is Dave Toole. I am primarily a dancer but have experience of acting in several productions. Currently I am working with Stopgap Dance Company touring the show Artificial Things

If you are happy to do so, provide brief details of your impairments / disabilities.
I condition is known as Sacral Agenisis. This basically means that the lower spine does not develop properly during pregnancy and leads to various problems. For me it meant my legs were amputated at the age of around 18 months

How did you get started in the arts?
Other than school productions my first real experience was attending a workshop led by the then pretty new Candoco Dance Company in 1992. I joined the company following a performance and toured with them for 7 years

Did you have any training? If so, where did you study/train?Much of my training came through working with Candoco. I did however attend Laban Centre for a year on their Community Dance Course which involved daily technique classes too.

What was your first professional job/role in the arts? How did you get from there to where you are now? Please provide a brief career history.
As stated my first professional job would have been with Candoco Dance Company. I stayed with them for seven years and this gave me the platform to explore new avenues.

What do you regard as your biggest success or achievement?
I have been fortunate to do many things in my career but I think working with DV8 and also performing in the opening ceremony of the Paralympics in 2012

Did any particular individual inspire you in your journey to being an artist? This could be a famous person, an established artist or someone much closer to home.
My father was a singer and performed with his brother during the 60's so seeing him perform was inspiring. Others were Elvis Presley and Gene Kelly.

If you could give one piece of advice to a young person who is disabled and who wishes to pursue a career in the performing arts, what would it be?
I think there are opportunities available now and I think just trying new things is always a good idea. Don't let anyone tell you that it's impossible. If it's something you really want to do keep pushing and talk to others that have experience

Please give your name, area/s of work in the performing arts and details of any organisation/s you are currently working with.
I'm Jamie Beddard. I am a writer, actor and director. I'm currently working with Diverse City and my own freelance consultancy work. I am also a Clore fellow. For full bio see jamiebeddard.com.

Info on your disability
I have cerebral palsy.

How did you get started in the arts?
It was an accident really! Acting/directing wasn't even on my radar at the time. I had just finished a degree in Sociology at the University of Kent and was working as a youth worker. I grew up in London and knew a few people working in television, film, theatre. One day I had a phone call from the BBC about a film they were making and they were looking for a disabled actor. They invited me for an audition and called me the following day to offer me the role. A week later I was working on a film set of 'Skallagrigg', alongside people such as Ian Dury and Bernhard Hill. I loved it!

Did you have any training? If so, where did you study/train?
I didn't start out with any formal training in acting/directing (see above). The first Director I worked with didn't see it as a problem and we worked well together and I learnt on the job. My training has all come through working alongside people (such as Directors, actors, companies like Graeae etc). It has led me to a real mix of work including writing, directing, teaching, facilitating and acting. Acting alone never paid all the bills, so you need a few strings to your bow.

Please provide a brief career history
I've had a really varied career (spanning 25 years) as an actor; theatre, television and even a stint in the West End. I have worked as a Director with many companies and venues, as Graeae, Fittings, Theatre Royal Stratford and Diverse City. I worked for the Arts Council as Diversity Officer for a number of years before leaving in 2011 to concentrate on my freelance portfolio as director, writer, actor, trainer, consultant and workshop leader. I have been Associate Director of Graeae Theatre Company, co-editor of 'Disability Arts in London' magazine (DAIL) and facilitated in many higher education institutions, drama colleges and community settings. I have worked in advisory capacities for many organisations including the Independent Theatre Council, London Metropolitan University, the Football League and Transport for London. I have also been on secondments to the RSA, Channel 4.0 and the 'What Next' movement. I'm Senior Associate at Diverse City and recently took part in the Clore Leadership Programme.

What do you regard as your biggest success or achievement?
Performing in the West End as the lead in Carrie's War was really enjoyable and one of my highlights. Directing 'Breathe' for Diverse City (for an audience of 15,000 on Weymouth Beach for the opening of the London 2012 Sailing Olympics/Paralympics) was a big achievement because I had never directed on that level/scale before.

Did any particular individual inspire you in your journey to being an artist? This could be a famous person, an established artist or someone much closer to home.
I've always admired actors and mavericks. Claire Hodgson has been a big influence on me as we have grown up, worked and continue to create together.

If you could give one piece of advice to a young person who is disabled and who wishes to pursue a career in the performing arts, what would it be?
Look at the wider context and try to diversify your skills and what you do. Try not to stick to just one thing. For me directing, leading workshops, consultancy and writing is my main area of work, and the acting is a bonus for me now.

Please give your name, area/s of work in the performing arts and details of any organisation/s you are currently working with.
I'm Karina Jones, an independent actress and aerial circus artists. I am working on a few different projects at the moment including a play for BBC Radio 4 (Soloparentpals) and a show at Cheltenham Everyman with Twocan Inclusive performance company. I am also a member of Extraordinary Bodies, the UK's first integrated circus company and will tour with our show Weighting later in the year.

If you are happy to do so, provide brief details of your impairments / disabilities.
I am visually impaired. I have peripheral vision but no central vision so I cannot see detail, print and facial expressions. Bigger movements are visible for me but I can cannot read text or copy movements. I have learnt how to make things more accessible to me and have to be very creative! Books and scripts are a massive barrier to me in my career because I cannot see detail/text and there are still so few audio recordings available. I work with an audio description earpiece so that I can be line fed for performance and rehearsals and work hard to learn lines by heart from audio. With aerial/movement work I need to workshop in a 'low and slow' environment first so that I can be assisted and manipulated into the positions before the equipment is rigged up high. It is hard for me to remember movement vocabulary so I work with strong direction and record things as best as I possibly can in my mind and body. I have peripheral vision so I can usually get around on stage OK. I have learnt to clearly explain to my collaborators the support I need. I have found that Circus is very open to this world of making the process accessible for me.

How did you get started in the arts and what is your training and career history?
I became disabled when I was 13 (through a degenerative sight condition). I always loved drama at school and wanted to be an actress. I spent my spare time gaining experience in all aspects of theatre (backstage, technical, box office) to appreciate the whole picture. My family and one of my teachers encouraged me not to give up after I lost my sight and used to record scripts for me to practice. I was told that I couldn't go to drama school because I couldn't sight read but I found a way to study for a degree in Drama (BA) at Liverpool University. I had to be line fed by my fellow students until I had time to learn scripts. After university I took as many workshops, summer schools, master classes as I could possibly get on! I also have a MA from Central School of Speech and Drama and am a voice and acting coach. Many agents wouldn't take me on because of my disability but after relentless searching I found a really great agent (Management 2000) and have had a successful career as an actress working in professional and community theatre and more recently as an aerial performer.

In 2011-12 I have had the opportunity to train with Graeae at Circus Space, London, to develop skills as a aerial circus performer. I have taken a 4 month Circus and Performance course with Sheffield Green Top Circus.

What do you regard as your biggest success or achievement?
I find that all my work has been important whether it is small scale community work in education or a big budget show. I was very proud to work at the National Theatre of Wales as I grew up in Wales and my mum is Welsh. As long my work reaches someone it is an achievement for me. My biggest 'wow' moment of feeling elated on stage was swinging on an aerial hoop high up in the sky for the Extraordinary Bodies premier of Weighting outside Exeter Cathedral. It was a huge sense of achievement and freedom for me.

Did any particular individual inspire you in your journey to being an artist? This could be a famous person, an established artist or someone much closer to home.
Mrs Baxter, one of my secondary school teachers, encouraged me not to give up on my dreams of becoming actress after I became disabled and used to help support me and come to give me extra classes at home. Tony Bond my English Teacher was also very inspirational. My mum has always been and still is incredibly supportive of me.

If you could give one piece of advice to a young person who is disabled and who wishes to pursue a career in the performing arts, what would it be?
Um…firstly make sure there is nothing else that you would be just as happy doing! It is really hard and you'll get knocked back time and time again. But if you keep focused, keep trying and grab every chance that comes your way then you'll get there. Doing something frightening can be one of the most rewarding experiences. I used to get so so nervous before auditions and it would affect my performance. But the more I practiced and kept trying the better it got. I still get nervous before auditions but it doesn't negatively affect my performance any more.

This process has toughened me up and I still find there is prejudice in the industry. I have been told to pretend I have dyslexia before rather than be honest that I am visually impaired but I find that being open and clear about what support I need is the best method. I do think that now is good time to be coming into this world. It is gradually becoming more open to disabled performers.