Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Working Miracles With Disabled Actors
Backstage: "Teal Sherer is an actor. She also uses a wheelchair, on stage, on screen, and in real life. That fact 'adds a layer of vulnerability' to a production of 'Proof' at the NoHo Arts Center in Los Angeles 'that brings the play to life,' a reviewer wrote in LA Weekly. David Auburn's Tony Award–winning play doesn't specifically call for an actor in a wheelchair to play Catherine, the troubled daughter of a deceased mathematician."
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4 comments:
Even though its unfortunate that actors with disabilities are discriminated against despite their tremendous talent, I think its not only that disabled actors are not being cast but the fact that there are 50 million Americans currently living with disabilities and that diversity isn't really well depicted in the stories that become theater. I really like that quote about seeing in theater what you see out the window, "expressions of all humanity" because I feel like so many amazing productions that have diverse casts tend to work partially because the chemistry of such an eclectic group of actors. To cast a disabled actor as a 'normal' character like the mathematician's daughter in "Proof" may work sometimes but may sometimes add something to the story that doesn't work or fit. Of course, a lot of this is attributed to mostly misunderstanding about the capabilities of disabled actors but it's good to see that some actresses like Teal Sherer are breaking through.
This is an issue which isn't confronted as much as it should be. There are quite a few small theaters or companies which are for the deaf, blind, or physically or mentally disabled. However, it is rare to find actors with disabilities who are in a company of "typically developed" actors.
I find the choice of Abigail Breslin as Helen Keller to be interesting, but not an issue. I find that the path that a "normal" child would have to go through to learn how to act deaf and blind would be incredibly powerful not only for the actor, but for audiences to see.
I agree with both Grace and Sylvianne. I think that the place to start confronting the issue is with the stories we are telling. Theater should show a wide range of people in all walks of life. And even though many different types of people make it into the stories we are still very far from representing everyone. Also, as much as I think that disabled actors should have to opportunity to play any role I do not think they should be hired just because they are disabled. Every production of every play brings something new and different to the story and I think that the use of different types of actors is a creative way to achieve this. This of course should include the use of a disabled actor in a traditionally non-disabled role.
I agree with Sylvianne. This issue should be confronted more. People often talk about the discrimination that goes on for other factors but never this one. Granted, in an industry such as the acting one, it may be essential to the play that the actor or actress be able to do some type of blocking that may be restricted by this. For roles that don't require it though, the issue should be confronted a lot more than it is though. I personally would love to see a show like that. America loves the underdog sometimes
so they might love it too.
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