Diversity, opportunities and challenges of inclusive theatre

Abstract

Many initiatives including theatre projects with disabled and non-disabled actorsaim at increasing the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. We tooktheatre as the context to learn about these inclusive practices. We searched thescientific literature for case studies to investigate: 1) What can inclusive theatreperformances look like?, 2) Which factors stimulate or hinder working inclusivelywithin a theatre?, and 3) How are inclusive theatre performances looked upon?Overall, inclusive theatre can take various forms, however realising inclusivecollaboration between actors with and without disability is not easy. Based onthe findings, it appears that participants of inclusive theatre without disabilitiesneed to be open to the different modes of expression of their colleagues withdisabilities, and to value this expression and provide room for it. All participantswith and without disabilities together need to develop new ways of working andco-creating, resulting in new skills and views. Inclusive theatre productions canmake people think differently about ability and normality, while at the same timehaving aesthetic power, but it is still controversial to consider these productionsas art instead of as social projects. It is important to realise that inclusive theatreimplies changes for every participant, just as an inclusive society would.