Rebellious Bodies and Radical Acts: Deaf and Disabled Artists Raise the Curtain on Cripping the Stage

A revolutionary anthology of essays and dramatic works by contemporary Disabled theatre artists

Rebellious Bodies and Radical Acts brings together some of the most innovative minds working in the realm of Disability theatre today. Through essays, poetry, interviews, and critique, these artists pull back the curtain on the creative process, revealing how they engage in the practice of performance. As Disabled people, their bodies and abilities defy the status quo, lending their exploration of this embodied artform an essential and overlooked perspective.

Each writer brings their expertise as an artist to the task of defining what is most urgent, compelling, and relevant in the ongoing evolution of their artform. The centrepiece of this book is the complete text of Alex Bulmer’s Perceptual Archaeology (or How to Travel Blind), a richly layered exploration of her experiences travelling across differing geographies and unexpected emotional terrain. Other writers share excerpts of their work, including Niall McNeil’s Beauty and the Beast: My Life, Debbie Patterson’s How It Ends, Audrey-Anne Bouchard’s Camille, and more.

These bold artists are pressing in from the margins, demanding a new era in the creation of live performance: one that engages a broader scope of lived experience, one that embraces Disability as opportunity, and one that welcomes the adventure of travelling in the unfamiliar.

Available in accessible digital formats.