#disabled actor

[thestars-in-her-eyes]

teen girl sees 50yr old English man ONCE and becomes obsessed

[actual-real-vampire]

Hello all!

Two and a half months into Cats rehearsal (I’m playing Gus) and I know how you cats fans lobe your family trees and whatnot so here’s some of my Gus’s relations :)

(Keep in mind in our production our cats are humans who are facing homelessness.)

Grizzabella and Gus were once married and had a child (Tugger). But soon divorced once Grizzabella became a danger to Tugger and left the Jellicles.

(Tugger gets his theatrical performance style from Gus and his fashion sense and tough exterior from Griz.)

Gus met Jelly during his first show in New York. They are good friends but not romantically involved or related. Simply good cast mates. Gus invited her to the Jellicles once Jelly fell on hard times.

Gus is best friends (nearly siblings) with Deut and therefore somewhat of an uncle figure to Munkustrap.

Many of the younger kids look up to Gus. He’s the communal fun grandpa who will take you to get ice cream even if mom says no. He’s especially fond of Silabub (who in our production becomes unhoused in the overture of the show). He does his best to protect her from Grizzabella but due to his disabilities he can only do so much.

Gus and Skimbleshanks play card games and have a book club together.

The guy playing Bill Bailey in our production is my boyfriend in real life. So obviously Gus can’t stand him.

[tuttle-did-it]

struggles for disabled people during the WGA/SAF-AFTRA strike

[twigsandhearts]

DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH

Currently, we have 7 canon disabled characters with a range of disabilities, voiced and written by disabled people! Yen (she/her) & Zenith (he/him): Autism Teddy (he/him): Deaf, Chronic Pain, Chronic Fatigue Angel (she/her): Blind Jolly (it/its): ADHD, Chronic Pain, CPTSD Iris (she/her): ADHD Moth (it/he): CPTSD, Anxiety

There is nothing unrealistic about having several disabled characters, no matter how visible their disabilities. Let them exist. Let them be friends. Let them be a part of other minority groups. Give them depth. CREATE MORE!

[wheelzoffun]

Question

Should disabled actors and actresses be allowed to play roles that were not written as disabled characters? Let's say, for example, an actor or actress that uses a wheelchair plays a character that was written as a fully able-bodied person. Is that acceptable?

[whoops-im-obsessed]

UK'sies Crutchie (and why I love him)

In comparison to previous productions, London Newsies took some positive steps in diverse casting. One of these steps was casting a disabled actor to play Crutchie! I love seeing how different people interpret characters and I know a lot of fansies won't be able to see UK'sies so I thought I'd chat a bit about Matthew Duckett's wonderful job of playing Crutchie. *spoilers under the cut*

In 92'sies, Broadway and even tour casts, Crutchie has always been a bit of a lighter character. A brother figure to Jack, his role is to show Jack's caring side as well as to show the consequences of his actions. Pretty well liked, sometimes portrayed as childish (is it only me that remembers #letcrutchiesayfuck?).

In 92'sies he comes across as bumbling comic relief, AKB builds a more sunny, easily lovable, almost cartoonish character, and Andy Richardson's Crutchie is innocent and youthful.

In contrast, Matthew Duckett brings a realness to the character that I'm not sure we've seen before. Duckett has cerebal palsy - and while its none of our business how his disability affects him offstage - on stage its my opinion that his lived experience, combined with the fact that he's on the taller side and seems to be a little older than some of the ensemble (please forgive me if I'm wrong about that 😅) give us this slightly more matured, starker Crutchie.

He isn't a poor cinnamon roll who needs to be helped all the time, he's a valued member of the team who they help when he wants it.

One of the choices I love is when the newsies first find out about the new price. Crutchie's reaction ('we got the right to starve, let's just get our papes and hit the streets while we still can!') Isn't a scared knee-jerk reaction, it's a thought out, sensible response to the situation and lots of newsies agree with him. He's taken more seriously than before, with a depth to his character we were missing.

Duckett also adds some fun backstory to Crutchie; on the rooftop when Jack mentions Santa Fe Crutchie visibly slumps at the realisation of 'you got folks there', before brightening and grinning privately to himself when Jack denies it. He has a rosary around his neck which he takes out on several occasions, when captured, after yelling for Jack he sobs and mumbles 'oh God please help!'

Finally, the physicality of Crutchie is on point and held until the final bows, even though he hops around occasionally, Crutchie carries himself confidently, and Duckett was so smooth in his movement. A lot of work was obviously put into Crutchie's physicality and it pays off.

Only seen it once so far but I'm planning to go back so this may get updated! Happy to answer any questions about the production to best of my ability x

[canon-disabled-characters]

Phillip J. Fry from Futurama has ADD*

[littlegirlwiththeblueribbon]

I’m ecstatic to announce that I’ve gotten my very first role in a stage musical; I’ve just been cast as Jerusha Abbott in a local-ish community theater production of Daddy Long Legs! It’s astounding, really; I auditioned on a whim, having been a fan of this musical and already knowing the part by heart. As a techie, I’ve never cared particularly whether or not I act in my lifetime. I do like acting, and was in a play once. I like singing, but I only sing in private and I’m almost completely self-taught — I was only given a few lessons as a kid by my mother’s friend — who taught herself to sing (I forgot everything she taught me, really). I didn’t realize people would value my singing and acting, and it’s made me feel overjoyed. But it’s also scary!

This musical (adapted from the 1912 Jean Webster novel) only has two characters — mine, and her love interest/the deuteragonist. There’s really no dancing, simple blocking, but a high demand in singing and a lot of spotlight. And, the kiss at the end will literally be my first.

My costar, who I met for a chemistry reading, is 28. Oh my goodness, he is talented and funny and polite, but he’s ten years my senior. And he has so much experience! He’s taken vocal lessons since he was 8… He’s had twenty years of voice lessons! Years of acting experience! He complimented me plenty, and I to him, but I can’t help but feel rather sheepish and greatly intimidated. It’s awkward for sure but surely we’ll end up friends, and we managed to have great chemistry.

I feel proud. Excited. I also feel like an imposter. Of all the other actresses I went up against for the role, I was the youngest and least experienced. Oh, what a tiny, pitiful resume. And… I brought my wheelchair to the audition. I briefly dislcosed I was an ambulatory chair user, and while I don’t let my condition inhibit my talents, I do allow it to shape the heart and strength of my characters. I pulled this out of my ass, as I am not an actor. But in a way it’s the truth. I also mentioned that I auditioned because this role is one that I believe can be made extra charming if from the perspective of a young woman in a wheelchair, especially in a historical period where this fact would greatly limit her opportunities.

At this point, I was over-sharing, but the director ended up liking it: I aced my audition, got called back and went up against two other actresses, and lastly had a chemistry reading and was selected for Jerusha. I just wonder deep down if it’s not because of my ability… and more because of my disability. No matter, this will be such a lovely representation of wheelchair users made casual and normalized as it won’t be brought up in the show (no need). So I think it’s a major win and I’m happy.

Give this show a listen! It’s a cute, PG romance and I enjoy it even as someone that doesn’t care for romance, reads almost zero romance novels and only ever watched cheesy romcoms because my mom loves them. The songs are catchy, the show is light, simple, and unique, and the plot fun to follow. Rehearsals start next week, luckily I’m on winter break soon. The show is in February, Valentine’s Day week!

[thecurvycritic]

WICKED is Wickedly Fantabulous

Erivo and Grande are the cinematic dynamic duo I didn't know I needed! #wickedmovie #wicked #universalpics

In 1939, The Wizard of Oz, adapted from Frank L. Baum’s novel was made into a feature premiering to vitriolic reviews. The New Republic completely eviscerated the film,  “…The Wizard of Oz was intended to hit the same audience as Snow White, and won’t fail for lack of trying. It has dwarfs, music, technicolor, freak characters, and Judy Garland. It can’t be expected to have a sense of humor as…

[domwho11]

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Please go and see my awesome friend Sara's one woman show Neurochatter at the Edinburgh fringe next week. It is absolutely out of this world. Thanks all

[actual-real-vampire]

Hey y’all more cats content!

Here’s my connection to Gus and how I am portraying him!!

I am one of two feminine presenting actors playing a traditionally masculine character (the other being our lovely Deutoromy).

Deut isn’t such a stretch to cast as a feminine actor! Seeing as Dame Judy Dench portrayed her in the film! But Gus? Why would you cast a 17 year old feminine actor as *gus?*

Gus is an inherently disabled character. They even say in the poem and song that he suffers from palsy that makes his paws shake.

Ever since I was two years old I have dealt with an unknown condition. (I usually call it chronic nerve pain) my hands, arms, legs and feet will ache and sting during flare ups (I’ve been unable to find any correlation between my pain and any activity’s or diet.)

I often have anxieties regarding my condition and perusing the arts. I wonder if the pain will become too unbearable to go on stage so often.

My directors are aware of this condition, I believe this is why I was gifted this part.

I’m also autistic. I struggle with school because of this! In fact I only attended the theater classes at my school, I do everything else online.

Gus means a lot to me as a person and I’m so lucky to be able to play this part in the most true and honest to myself way as humanly possible.

[eldritch-ace]

I present some nerdy prudes (oh and Max)

(I really wanted to take a shot at giving them all more than 1-3ish outfits that I think fit their styles)

[a-little-revolution]

It seems like you're a big fan of Warwick Davis, I was wondering if there are any other little people actors you really like, especially women and trans/nb actors?

Hello! Yes I do enjoy Warwick Davis! Willow (1988) remains one of my favourite LP films, and I've really enjoyed his career of fantastical characters.

Like a lot of industries, white men make up a lot of the most famous Little actors (Warwick Davis, Peter Dinklage, Danny Woodburn, Martin Klebba, Verne Troyer), so I'm happy to mention some of my favourites outside that group!

Linda Hunt is a favourite of mine - she's a Hollywood veteran best known for her role in The Year of Living Dangerously (1982) where she was the first actor to win an academy award for playing someone of the opposite sex!! She's been on Broadway, done tv, film, and voice acting! You may know her as Lady Proxima in Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018).

If you think you don't know Deep Roy, chances are you do! He's been a scale actor in countless award winning films including Star Wars (1980), Star Trek (2009-2016), The Never Ending Story (1984), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) and so many more! We owe so many beloved characters to scale actors and people hardly know it - Deep Roy has been responsible for dozens of them, I adore him.

Despite Patty Maloney's vast career in acting, I know her as Lois Addams from The Addams Family (1991)! Before my time she was in a variety of tv shows and films including Star Trek Voyager (1996), Little House on the Prairie (1982), and The Lord of the Rings (1978).

Cara Mailey is a young actress, author, presenter and activist! She's known for her role in Derry Girls (2018) and Read all About It! (2021), as well as her ebook "I Got This" - which speaks on her experience living with Achondroplasia. I wanted to be sure to give her an honourable mention because at only fifteen she's already become an activist for the LP community! I'm excited to see how her career evolves!

Thank you for the ask! Be sure to check these folks out!

[whoops-im-obsessed]

Matthew Duckett in conversation with Jack Hunter discussing disability and performance in the documentary 'You've Got to be Ballsy: Stories from the Front Line of Cerebral Palsy'

I couldn't fit the whole clip here but he goes on to talk about his view on disability politics and the work of Birds of Paradise (a Scottish disabled-led theatre company) on 'My Left/Right Foot'. It's a great documentary in general and is definitely worth a watch!

[bigbeanbear]

Nimona is also a milestone in western queer animation history because Ballister (South Asian) and Ambrosius (East Asian) are both of Asian descent in the movie, the same as their voice actors. They are a canon gay Asian couple.