Serving Others through Theatre — Emphasizing Inclusivity for the New Year
By Carolyn Marie Wright
Famed author Lewis Carroll once wrote, “One of the secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others.”
This month’s ElevAATE stories illustrate this idea — and the joys and triumphs in two case studies where practitioners do the work to support participant growth and development. The focus lies not in the facilitator’s personal artistic pursuit nor in a commercial performance product. (Though both circumstances carry worth in the broader world view.) Rather the focus in these case studies lies in the importance of cultivating maker-space for others.
First, in “The Power of Theatre in Transforming Disability Culture,” Catherine E. Palmore highlights the work that ArtStream does to promote inclusivity and emphasizes that “everyone has the right to participate [in theatre] in different sectors of society.”
Lastly, this editor offers her final contribution for the inaugural ElevAATE year of publication with “[Looking] Through the Door Frame — Supporting Youth Artists in the Rehearsal Room: An Interview with Dr. Desiree Cameron.” In this exchange, Dr. Cameron chronicles her rehearsal process with a particular cohort of 8th grade artists at Westside Neighborhood School in Los Angeles.
Each story shines a light on theatre as an act of service and reminds us that theatre and the arts matter.
Before I conclude this note and wrap up my experience as ElevAATE Editor, I want to once again offer my gratitude to you, our readers, and the greater AATE community. It has been my distinct privilege to serve you and captain the ElevAATE ship. Thank you for spending time in contemplation and conversation with me, the writers, and the editing team.
Come back in January 2023 to continue the ElevAATE journey with incoming Editor Sam Briggs.
Thank you, and Happy New Year!
Carolyn Marie Wright hails from upstate New York and splits her time between NYC and the Catskills. She is a faculty member at Fordham Prep, Theatre Program Director at Onteora Club, and Artistic Director of Humanity Play Project. Proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA, and AATE.
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