HWS News
30 August 2024 • Faculty May Participates in Residency for Blind, Disabled and Abled Artists
The residency explored the question: “What might a musical theatre production be if it embraced blind aesthetics and blind experiences?”
This summer, Professor of Theatre H. May collaborated with the co-producers of Drama Club Productions, Scott Ihrig and Shannon Morrison, to convene a group of blind, disabled and abled artists and thinkers for a week-long residency in Mt. Vernon, Maine.
The purpose of the residency was to begin a collaboration to answer the question: “What might a musical theatre production be if it embraced blind aesthetics and blind experiences?” Residents explored this question while living communally in a restored Inn, facilitating the opportunity to build trust and connections as part of the creative process. Daily activities included story sharing sessions, creative “show and tells,” brainstorming, shared meals, swims from a pontoon boat on Lake Torsey, and just hanging out.
As a “blindish” theatre artist who lives in the small town of Geneva, N.Y. and no longer drives, Professor May had not previously had the opportunity to share space and build process with other blind artists. May called their week at Drama Club Camp transformative on personal and professional levels.
“While I have been able to participate in online Audio Description training with Dark Room Ballet and the Audio Description Institute, I have never had the opportunity to create broader work alongside other blind and low-vision artists,” May says. “Dreaming up new structures, approaches and storylines alongside others who share significant portions of my experience rocked my world in ways that I am only beginning to process, never mind the personal empowerment I received throughout the week. And that wasn’t even our priority! I’m thrilled to say that by the end of the week we had a concept and rough outline for a musical answering the question we all arrived to study together…and we laughed a lot along the way. I can’t wait to find out where this project goes next.” Professor May is happy to have a scheduled sabbatical next year to allow them time and space to pursue this work.
In addition to May, Ihrig and Morrison, the other participants in the residency were M. Leona Godin (performer and author of There Plant Eyes), Brian Kijewski (musician and co-host of Outlook on Radio Western), Kerry Kijewski (writer and co-host of Outlook on Radio Western), Regan Linton (award-winning filmmaker and theatre artist), Matthew Shifrin (musician, podcast host of Blind Guy Travels, and founder of Bricks for the Blind), and Barry Toner.
In the photo above, eight artists sit on an L-shaped couch. All but one of the artists on the couch hold white canes. One artist sits on a wheelchair alongside them. Another artist sits on the floor in front of the couch. All smile broadly. (Photo by Jeanelle Krawchuk)
