Parent Network is currently working on our next huge fundraiser for the year! We will be partnering up with Unique Theatre and will be bringing you an amazing play later this year in October starring actors with special needs.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS!! WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOUR VOICE. YOUR WORDS.
Unique Theatre and Parent Network of WNY are creating a play that would show the community in an entertaining manner what disability is; its history and how parents and people living with disability think and feel about themselves and the culture they live in. While our aim is always to treat all people the same, we realize that many in our community are skeptical of the capabilities of those with disabilities. We would like to show the community that people with disabilities can be trusted, hired, are dependable and quite easy to work with. We want to show them what is behind disability from a parent’s point of view, the person with disability point of view all the way to a social worker’s point of view. Coupled with the play we will create a specific playbill that would take highlights from the play and put these tips, ideas, recommendations into the play bill. The playbill would also be given to local theatre personnel (local actors, directors, crew members of other theatres) as part of an education about people with disabilities.
Our audience will see people of disabilities –
- As having a rich history behind them; being marginalized, scorned, ignored.
- As having real thoughts about what it is to live with disability.
- As having loved ones who also experience the disability in a different way.
In order to do this we are inviting you to share your story, your thoughts, your history so that we can: create a play consisting of chosen monologues written by people with disabilities, their parents, social workers, and loved ones.
Unique Theatre will be collecting these stories from all across the Western New York region to piece together one collective voice to present on stage. Submissions can range from one sentence and up to 500 words. (we are not looking for full length stories, just thoughts, ideas, something you would want to say to the larger community.)
If you are not sure what to write about here are some thoughts to inspire:
If you were to take your disability and imagine it as something separate, what would it look like?
Do you like your disability?
What do you think others think of your disability?
Who told you that you were disabled? What did that feel like?
Has your disability prevented you from doing something you wish to do?
What are your obstacles?
Do you think you could overcome that?
PARENTS:
Can you talk a bit about your child and their disability?
How has it affected your family in a positive way? A negative way?
SIBLINGS
How do you see your sibling?
ALL:
Any tips you want to say to the general public?
Any rants, emotions you would like to tell everyone?
NOTE:
If any part of your submission is accepted and used in the play we are offering financial compensation.
If you wish to stay anonymous, we can do that-and you will still be paid.
Should you not be anonymous you will be listed as one of the contributors/writers in all marketing/playbill notices.
If you need assist-typing, writing assist please contact Beth Geyer at e mail below.
Questions/greater discussion please call Beth at 716.982.7755
SUBMISSIONS CAN BE SENT TO
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: MAY 30th 2023