Off the Record will premier October 2016. Photo Gregory Lorezutti via Carriageworks.
With the announcement of its 2016 Artistic Program, Carriageworks is giving artists with disability centre stage.
The 2016 program, which is Carriageworks’ largest and most ambitious to date, supports over 700 artists in the development of new work, commissions and partnerships. Central to this support is the development and production of contemporary work by artists with disability.
‘Institutions like Carriageworks have a responsibility to support artists across the board,’ said Carriageworks director Lisa Havilah.
Simple Infinity, a major new commission launching in July from Urban Theatre Projects, will collaborate with a range of artists with disabilities to celebrate the individual within the bigger picture. Part performance and part installation, the piece takes inspiration from the graphic novel and film Hugo, and will be directed by Urban Theatre Projects artistic director Rosie Dennis.
Other new commissions central to the program include Off the Record from Carriageworks’ resident dance theatre company Force Majeure and Dance Integrated Australia. The performance, which will premiere in October 2016, will bring together a diverse group of NSW performers to ‘look through the lens’ of artists living with a broad range of disability.
Two new works will also be developed throughout the year from Victoria’s internationally acclaimed Back to Back Theatre and master puppet makers Erth, who will be working in partnership with arts and disability organisation Studio A.
Director Lisa Havilah said it’s important to Carriageworks that the new commissions, which form part of the art centre’s ‘New Normal’ Disability Strategy, are integrated into the Artistic Program.
She said Carriagework’s 2016 Artistic Program is focused on presenting work that a wide range of audiences can identify with, giving artists with disability as well as other under-represented artists ‘access to the main stage’.
‘We’re seeking out a diversity of stories that are relevant to diverse audiences.’
The 2016 Carriageworks Program is launching on Tuesday, 10 November.
Tickets will be on sale from 9am on Wednesday, 11 November.
