ABSTRACT
Stephanie Barton-Farcas, Founder and Artistic Director of Nicu’s Spoon Theater Company outlines the best practices of this all-inclusive theatre company in New York City. In this essay, Barton-Farcas provides strategies for supporting and developing artists of all backgrounds. Ardently unpacking the philosophical values that underpin the work: inclusion, equity, and training, Barton-Farcas remains steadfast in her commitment to supporting youth with disabilities. The company thoughtfully trains its teaching artists, with a particular focus on challenging many assumptions about people with disabilities, working equitably with all disabilities, and using the correct etiquette, both in terms of vocabulary and physical interactions.
A formidable advocate for youth embracing ownership of their own representation, Barton-Farcas explains the need for youth with disabilities to generate their own narratives: Sharing experientially through theatre not only emboldens those who lead but also those who identify with that person. Furthermore, she maintains, when stories are performed for an audience, these performances humanize people with disabilities, providing an opportunity to move past able-bodied people’s discomfort and assumptions. The essay concludes by articulating the challenges for the disabled theatre community moving forward, including the need for more inclusive casting, and further sharing of resources.
