Break A Leg! Disability in the Arts Nicole Zimmerer

Wow wow wow we’re back! And with one of our best episodes yet! Nicole is joined by superstar Betty Siegel who lays out the essential information when it comes to disability rights in the Unites States arts sector. Betty also explains why she believes that cultural experiences are a critical civil and human right. What are the turning points in American disability rights history? And how do these laws impact the places where we gather for artistic and cultural experiences? How is t...

Nicole is joined by fellow Carnegie Mellon alum Marisa Rinchiuso (and her dog Remy) to dish all the (not so hot) Emmy Awards goss, dig into the intersections of disability and womanhood, and discuss the connection between inhumane working conditions and ableism. Other topics include: going on a Disabled Rage Rampage™️, progressive disabilities in the workplace, building for the future, accessible hills in “Crippletopia,” and the alleged disability icon: Eeyore. Marisa Rinchiuso is...

Nicole is joined by Stephen Santa and (surprise!) Claire Carbone for a deep-dive on Jumping Jack Theater, a Pittsburgh-based theatre company specializing in sensory-enriched theatre for young autistic audiences. They discuss the company’s production history and approach to crafting theatrical experiences that empower children with autism, and how they have adapted to the pandemic with a traveling show. Jumping Jack Theater online: Website: www.jumpingjacktheater.org Instagram...

Make sure to check out our interview on the USITT TECHnically Speaking podcast! Nicole and Scott joined Jenn Shuron from the United States Institute for Theatre Technology to discuss how they met, the creation of Break A Leg!, and more. Listen to the interview on... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/breaking-down-disability-in-the-industry/id1496209270?i=1000541646804 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2GedoWHL37EzSI7xPGp3t1 All other platforms: ht...

Nicole’s friend and fellow playwright Adrienne Dawes joined us for this episode to talk about writing from different perspectives and in different genres. What have these playwrights been working on? Why do we need popcorn plays? Is Austin still weird? Listen to find out! Adrienne Dawes is a writer, producer, and teaching artist currently based in Fayetteville, AR. Adrienne's play Casta, inspired by a series of paintings by Miguel Cabrera, is planned to premiere next fall in Austin, TX ...

Michael Patrick Thornton is the co-founder and artistic director of Chicago's The Gift Theatre. He joined Nicole to talk about producing, his career on stage and television, casting, representation, the “cripple card,” traveling abroad in a wheelchair, and more! The Gift Theatre online: Website: https://thegifttheatre.org/ Instagram: @thegifttheatre Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGiftTheatre/ Episode Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1751649/8977842&n...