Abstract:

The Improbable Theatre Company (ITC) was created by and for theatre artists with disabilities. Based on interviews of members from the company, we discuss tensions between the disability movement and arts professionals, the correlation between arts and politics within the disabled community, autonomy, advocacy, and control. We examine the challenges and opportunities that the theatre presents to participants and audiences. We conclude that through their work, members of ITC want their disabilities to become transparent while broadening the audience's understanding of living with a disability.

Keywords: disability; disability theatre; performance studies; Improbable Theatre Company in Pheonix; Arizona

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/13569780802655780

Affiliations: 1: School of Theatre and Film, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA 2: Writer and Director, Phoenix, AZ, USA