TRU Producers held a Town Hall on Tuesday spotlighting neurodivergent artists, hosted by Bob Ost. Joining Ali were playwrights Dave Osmundsen, Scott Sickles, Jackson Tucker-Meyer, Harmon dot out, and Mario A. Gomez.
The panel, which took place at Polaris North in NYC was part of the TRU monthly conversations on issues of current cultural significance.
Tuesday’s talk had a particular focus on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. The town hall focused on what TRU suggested was the least understood and most often dismissed aspect of individual diversity: Neurodiversity.
Very broadly defined, neurodiversity can cover the constellation of Autism, ADHD, OCD, Bipolar, Borderline Personality, and more.
For centuries, society has always been more inclined to “cure” or “control” neurodivergence rather than celebrate and accept it. With further calls from the government to seek a “cure” for Autism, and a continued lack of understanding of how neurodivergent minds work, it’s more challenging for neurodivergence to attain acceptance and respect.
The panelists discussed what the creative process is like, how difficult it is to navigate the relationship-driven theater industry, when to disclose a disability, barriers that prevent an open dialogue about neurodiversity, and how a more welcoming environment can be created for neurodivergent artists (the panelists all agreed “Ask us what we need.”)
Ali was the recipient of the TRU Voices workshop this summer, for her play Final Resting Place
TRU (Theater Resources Unlimited) is a nonprofit organization created to help producers produce, emerging theater companies to emerge healthily and all theater professionals to understand and best navigate the business of theater.
ALI MacLEAN 