www.broadwayworld.com: Marissa Bode has won the Christopher Reeve Acting Award at the Media Access Awards for starring as Nessarose in Wicked. The honor, created by the late actor, is a cash award supporting new, up-and-coming performers with disabilities. Bode is notable as the first wheelchair user to play the character, taking on the role in both films.
1 comment:
This article is super cool! I believe that representation is super important in the arts, and I am shocked that Marissa Bode is the first actress with a disability to play the role of Nessarose. One of the biggest parts of acting is the lived human experience. Without this past experience of being disabled, performances often feel dull. On a deeper level, it is just also important for audience members to be able to go see shows and “see themselves” on stage. This sparks inspiration and leads to the cultivation of our next generation of artists. I am also shocked that the current Nessarose on Broadway, Jenna Bainbridge, is the very first wheelchair-using actress to play the role on stage. I just feel like this is unbelievable, especially for Wicked as it is the 4th longest running show in Broadway history, opening all the way back in 2003. This is a major milestone for inclusion, however it actually shows how rare full inclusion and accessibility are.
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