Transitions was a pilot project, sponsored by the Kids Subsidy Network, for youth with intellectual disabilities. The Transitions Drama Program for Youth with Disabilities is a self-advocacy program through which disabled youth learn to use interactive performance to speak for themselves, to address concerns in their lives, and to advocate for their rights as members of the disability community. The goal is to the support the development of life and social skills that support the transition from dependent child to independent adult.

Performed:
June, 2005
Rozsa Centre,
University of Calgary

Photos & Such:
Photographs

A Wild Ride presented a series of transportation issues faced by people with a disability: getting teased at the bus stop, trying to look cool in front of your peers, getting told “NO!” by Handi-bus, and the like. This interactive event supports the development of problem solving, self-advocacy, and community building skills. It was first performed in Edmonton, Alberta, at the Self-Advocacy Summit for people with disabilities then again in Red Deer for Community Inclusion Month.

Performed:
September 17, 2005
Coast Plaza Hotel
Edmonton, Alberta

October 20, 2005
Royal Canadian Legion Hall #42
Red Deer, Alberta

Photos & Such:
Photographs – Edmonton
Photographs – Red Deer

A gutsy group of people with development disabilities decided to transform themselves into characters they’ve been told they can’t be: a gender-bender, a prostitute, construction workers, a priest, an evil scientist and his weird assistant, a formal gentleman, a judge, spies, some professional athletes, and a couple of thugs. This motley crew of characters shared the stage, and guided their audience through the processes used by actors to transform themselves into other people in the magical world of the theatre.

Produced By:
Stage Left Productions

Performed:
April 25, 2005
Studio Theatre, University of Calgary

Photos & Such:
Photographs

Stage Left is piloting Calgary’s first Legislative Theatre project, through a Forum Theatre event examining employment inequities for people with a disability, called What Did You Call Me?. This show was first performed at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Social Work’s Social Action Day on February 1. We next tried out the work at Reality Check 2005, a conference exploring “Inequity and Well-being in a Debt-free Alberta” on March 3. Then again at the Fourth Annual Disability Arts Festival. We are consulting with all levels of government, disability service providers, and other shareholders, to advance employment equity for people with disabilities through Theatre of the Oppressed and social action events.

Produced By:
Stage Left Productions

Performed:
February 1, 2005
U of C Faculty of Social Work’s Social Action Day
MacEwan Ballroom, U of C

March 3, 2005
Reality Check 2005
Grace Baptist Church

December 10 & 11, 2005
Balancing Acts4
Big Secret Theatre

Photos & Such:
Photographs

On May 3, 2003, after 12 weeks of intense actor training, a group of 17 people with disabilities demonstrated what they learned about performing to a sold-out audience. These new actors guided the audience through community-building exercises, skills development games, and acting tools that captured the simplicity and power that is drama. In the process, they invited the audience to become part of the creative self-expression of a community of youth and adults with different types of disabilities.

Produced By:
Stage Left Productions

Performed:
May, 2003
Studio Theater (University of Calgary)

Photos & Such:
Photographs

Birds of a Feather was a total arts exploration for people with disabilities new to drama. Using movement, masks, and music, the actors shared a day in the life with some fine feathered friends. Our performers all chose a bird to represent themselves and their personal experiences as a disabled person. During their performance, they made the "caged bird sing", sat around like a bunch of "birds on a wire", told the story of the "ugly ducking", did the chicken dance, and more!

Produced by:
Stage Left Productions

Presented by:
One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre

Performed:
December, 2003
Big Secret Theatre

Photos & such:
Photographs

On July 28, people with disabilities took to the stage to put a dramatic end to the challenges and barriers they cope with on a daily basis.

PowerPlay, a Forum Theater Performance, was created by members of Calgary's disability community, all of whom are developmentally disabled. Their play presented the issues they deal with on a daily basis: lack of support from community resource workers, limited access to public transportation,
handi-bus challenges, bullying, poverty, etc..

PowerPlay also offered practice in resolving those issues.

Produced by:
Stage Left Productions

Performed:
July, 2003
Studio Theatre (University of Calgary)

Photos & such:
Script excerpt #1
Script excerpt #2
Poster
Photographs

Freaks. Retards. Idiots... As I Am offered a historical deconstruction of attitudes toward people with disabilities over the past 200 years. From circus side show freaks to medical specimens to rats in a maze, people with disabilities turned the tables on their dissection by telling the world to see them "As I Am". Challenging drama, tango-esque dancing, personal stories, and a chorus of oppressors all provided insight into the lives of people with disabilities.

As I Am was workshopped at Stages and fully produced at A Second Look.

Produced by:
Calgary SCOPE Society
Stage Left Productions

Presented by:
One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre

Performed:
February, 2002
New Dance Theatre

December, 2003
Big Secret Theatre

Photos & such:
Script excerpt (workshop)
Script excerpt (full production)
Photographs

A sound orchestra, motion, and funk were fused together in this multi-media performance that integrated sound, dance, and rhythm! Perceptions and stereotypes of disability were challenged by using a wheelchair to make music and by presenting a physical dialogue of motion, rhythm, and funk!

Dis This & the Sound Orchestra was workshopped at Stages and fully produced at A Second Look.

Produced by:
Stage Left Productions

Presented by:
One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre

Performed:
February, 2002
New Dance Theatre

December, 2003
Big Secret Theatre

Photos & such:
Photographs

If Everybody Looks the Same... We'd Get Tired of Looking at Each Other! balanced the personal stories and struggles of people with developmental disabilities with social satires of the attitudes and systems that cause those struggles. Government, Popular Culture, Academia, and Society were all held accountable as the disability community spoke out about their lives, their dreams, and their rights as full citizens.

Produced by:
Calgary SCOPE Society

Presented by:
University of Calgary Department of Drama

Performed:
April, 2001
Secondary Reeve Theatre

Photos & such:
Poster
Script excerpt
Photographs

Produced by:
Calgary SCOPE Society

Performed:
October, 2001
Picture This... festival
Fort Calgary

December, 2000
Amnesty International Arts Jam
Victor Mitchell Theatre

March, 2000
Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre
Main Gym

Photos & such:
Script excerpt
Photographs

Produced by:
Calgary SCOPE Society

Performed:
March, 2000
Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre
Main Gym

Photos & such:
Script excerpts
Photographs