October 1999

Artists with Disabilities, Two Candid Interviews

By Gregg J. Donaldson

Tapping Technology recently interviewed two performing artists interviewed in California, about their love of the Arts.

Ms. Cheryl Marie Wade, an Activist, writer and actress based in San Francisco, said "her acting came out of her activism." She told TT that, she got involved in the arts by going to poetry readings and then reading some of her own poetry on stage. She also got involved with a women's theatrical group, called "Why Crips." Then in 1994, she received an award and contest from the National Endowment of the Arts Foundation, for her one-woman play called, "The Adventures of A Poster Child Gone Awry," a satirical look at today's perceptions.

Ms. Wade was totally surprised at her winning the competition. As she told TT, "I entered, thinking I'd get my name better known, but never dreaming of winning." Her best advice to other people with disabilities who want to get into the arts:

"Start with community groups. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work. It is a very competitive business," she said. She is a wheelchair user.

She is the editor and publisher of Gnarly Bone News, which is a semi-regular free online newsletter, celebrating the arts and also Disability events from across the country. She is also a frequent writer for New Mobility magazine, www.newmobility.com

TT also interviewed Mr. Neil Marcus, a playwright and actor in Santa Barbara, CA. Here are some of his thoughts. He was recently on ER

In This Spastic Body

I wasn't going to answer the phone, but then I heard the message coming Through the answering machine. "We've got a great story. Are you available?" I quickly rolled across the room to pick up the phone. The voice was Anthony Edwards'. He was going to direct an episode of NBC's hit series, ER, and he wanted me to be in it. I didn't say I'd think about it and call him back. I told him I was in.

I'm a disabled person who has for the last decade been an actor. Many people support me on this point. "Congratulations, Neil. We saw you last night. You were awesome! Great acting!"

Who I am, what I think, and how I act are impacted by my disability, so I like to say I'm a disabled actor. You may disagree. You may ask how the word "actor" can be prefaced by the word "disabled." Well, if there weren't such a thing as oppression of disabled people, I'd agree with you. But there is. I have a passion for acting. It satisfies something in my rebellious nature to be seen acting in this spastic body. I long to see more people with disabilities in mainstream media. I missed seeing this when I was growing up. For the last 8 years I performed in what critics called a "one man show for three people." There were two actors and me, recreating my life and my interactions with the world in a ninety-minute show, Storm Reading. We performed it in over 200 venues on three continents . This is how I got seen and this is how I was chosen for ER.

My press agent reported, "Neil Marcus will be appearing on the TV show 'ER' Thursday April 30th at 10:00 p.m. on NBC. Neil plays the part of a severely disabled genius who is rushed to the hospital emergency room after being injured by a hit and run driver."

This was history. NBC was breaking new ground. I was thrilled that 35 million people would see me being a real disabled person. Television has come a long way. As little as 10 years ago they would never have thought of hiring a disabled person to be an actor. They would have hired a non-disabled actor who would then act disabled. In addition, that character would be portrayed as a victim or as someone who was meant to inspire others. The person they were asking me to play had a strong sense of himself. Though the ER script was already written, I had the freedom to move or talk any way I wanted. I didn't have to hide my disability or blend in. Some people are purists. They say that an actor is an actor. And acting is acting, no matter what the part is. I have a slightly different view. I think that a disabled person acting is not just an actor but also a commentator on all sorts of things: politics, oppression, and the evolution of society. A disabled person on the screen is a statement in itself. As disabled people gather a greater audience, I think ,the world will change for the better. I believe our time will come. We will one day have our own Xenas, Seinfelds, and Agent Mulders. I am optimistic.

Editor Notes: Cheryl requests, when subscribing to Gnarly Bone, send an email to GnarlyBone@aol.com with your request and email address in the body of the email. Submissions are welcome, shorter is better but not mandatory. Please use black type on white background in no smaller than 12 point. Please make it as free of codes and internet gunk as possible.

2. Part 2 will have more interviews with local artists, next month.

Here is what's being done locally

D.    D.

Paradigm Players in local production of "Our Town," this past summer.

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