ABSTRACT
Inclusion and disability theatre are terms that are inherently deviations from the social, cultural and political normative. The term inclusion is thrown around a lot these days but most theatre companies aren't quite sure what it is and some just do not care. Full inclusion is also different from the older term 'mainstreaming'. Inclusion implies a level of equal ownership within the project or endeavor. Inclusion is investment. Inclusion is ownership by the artist. This chapter focuses on the work with disabled artists as in theatre there are activities across the USA ensuring 'diversity and inclusion' but they historically and consistently focus on every single other group – except the disabled. For the actors in the show, disabled and non-disabled, meeting with the deaf/blind audience members after the show and talking with them is a new way for them to see the impact their art has on an audience.
