This event is free to attend. Food and beverages provided. Please RSVP: http://bit.ly/CitadelExchangeRSVP 

ASL interpretation provided.

This event will be audio described by Inside Out Theatre (Calgary, AB).

Citadel Theatre is very excited to announce the next phase of THE EXCHANGE Industry Series: connecting with local community members to drive the conversations they would like to be having about theatre in Edmonton. We are pleased to welcome Carly Neis & Cynthia Jimenez-Hicks as our first community collaborators on this series, and we thank them for their commitment to this project! 

On Sunday, January 26, Citadel Theatre invites our industry colleagues to join us for a conversation on accessibility in theatre for artists who navigate disability and ableism in their journey to have their voice heard on stage. 

The evening will include a community conversation with four theatre practitioners, each of whom will share their own journey with disability and how they advocate for themselves and others in artistic processes or creative spaces: Kristi Hansen (actor and producer), Christopher Imbrosciano (advocate and actor in Citadel Theatre’s Cost of Living), Carly Neis (actor and playwright), and Teal Sherer (writer, advocate and actor in Citadel Theatre’s Cost of Living). 

Topics may include real & perceived ableism, representation on stage (selecting or creating productions, creative team curation, casting), proactive measures producers and creators can take to ensure accessibility for artists (short term for specific projects, and long term for equity in all projects), acceptable language & “labels,” and accessible spaces and policies for audience members. At the end of the evening, we will open up the conversation to the audience for continued group dialogue and discussion.

Citadel Theatre acknowledges that staff members organizing this event do not have lived experience with disability, and are working with a group of artists with lived experience to plan this event. Our organizing group acknowledges that we may have differing experiences, views and vocabularies for the above topics, and are committed to a safe, respectful dialogue in a spirit of generosity.

6:30 P.M. Doors open. Food and beverages available

7:00 P.M. Welcome & Communication Protocol

7:15 P.M. Panel Discussion

8:15 P.M. Group Conversation 

9:10 p.m. Demonstration of Audio Description from Inside Out Theatre

9:30 P.M. End of Event

Citadel Theatre’s accessible entrance is on the south side of building (off Shoctor Alley and 99th Street). The Bentley Salon is located on the third floor of Citadel Theatre, and is accessible by stairs and elevator. The main floor washrooms have wheelchair accessible stalls, and a gender-inclusive accessible washroom is available on the 3rd floor. 

For the comfort and safety of all guests, please refrain from using scented products such as perfumes, cologne, and strongly scented hair or body products before attending this event.

This event is FREE. We ask that all guests register in advance so that we may safely host everyone in to the space and be aware of any access needs or dietary restrictions. Please register here: http://bit.ly/CitadelExchangeRSVP 

For more information on the event or our building, contact Producer Jessie van Rijn at 780.428.2110 (voice) or theexchange@citadeltheatre.com (email).

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Presented by Blarney Productions

Sunday, January 26, 2020

5:00-6:00 P.M. 

Bentley Salon

Before our panel discussion, you are also invited to the public reading of TUNE TO A, a new one-act play by Exchange panelist, Carly Neis, and co-creator, Cynthia Jimenez-Hicks.

TUNE TO A is a play for young audiences about seeing past others’ limitations to illuminate their potential. The story was inspired by Carly’s real life experiences, of growing up with cerebral palsy and her experiences in the theatre community. Ava, the central character, is a 13-year-old with cerebral palsy and a love of music. 

After a series of attempting to play several instruments, Ava’s contribution to the class is dismissed by her band teacher. With the encouragement of an ally and the confidence to use her voice, Ava’s true talent is revealed at a time when it counts most. 

This TUNE TO A reading will be the culmination of a week-long workshop produced by Blarney Productions with funding from the Canada Council.

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We wish to acknowledge that the land on which we will gather is Treaty No. 6 territory and a traditional meeting ground and home of the First Nations, including both the treaty signatories – Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stony and Cree-Iroquois – as well as other Indigenous peoples, such as the Blackfoot and Métis, who occupied this land. We extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live, create and perform on this territory.