English 
French As part of the podcast series, “ArtsAbly in Conversation,” Diane Kolin interviewed Alex Bulmer, a Canadian playwright and theatre artist, working in theatre, film, radio, and education.
This post presents the resources that she mentioned during the conversation.
Alex Bulmer’s website
Named one of the most influential disabled artists by UK’s Power Magazine, Alex Bulmer has over thirty professional years’ experience across theatre, film, radio and education. She is fuelled by a curiosity of the improbable, dedicated to collaborative practice, and deeply informed by her experience of becoming blind.
Graeae Theatre Company
Since its official opening in 1980, Graeae Theatre Company has been an international leader and innovator in accessible world-class theatre. Graeae is founded on the mission to create theatrical excellence through the vision and practice of Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent artists. The experiences of these artists are part of Graeae’s genesis, the early productions devised by the company were specifically written to combat societal expectations of disabled people. Alex established the New Writing department with Graeae Theatre in the UK.
Visit Graeae Theatre Company’s website
SMUDGE, a play by Alex Bulmer
Like Freddie, the central character in Smudge, Bulmer was diagnosed 13 years ago with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease that destroys all but limited peripheral vision. This play is about about going through darkness – some literal, some metaphoric – and coming out the other side.
Read more about SMUDGE on Now Toronto
Battle for the Winds, opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Sailing events
A unique theatrical event to mark the opening celebrations of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Sailing events. Unprecedented in scale, it tells the story of an heroic quest to free the winds for the sailing contests. Aeolus, Father of the Winds, calls for all the winds of the South West to be brought to Weymouth to help the Olympic sailors. In response to his call, seven teams of Wind Gatherers from each region of the South West have begun gathering the winds, telling tales as they go. Their only fear is that stone-hewn Doldrum will stand in their way.
Visit the Battle for the Winds‘ website
Jenny Sealey, artistic director of the Graeae Theatre Company
Jenny Sealey has been the artistic director of the Graeae Theatre Company since 1997 and pioneer of theatrical practice regarding inclusion, and been involved in many landmark productions, including the Paralympic opening ceremony in 2012.
Read Jenny Sealey’s interview on Able Magazine
Unlimited festival at the Southbank Centre
Celebrating the artistic vision and creativity of disabled artists, Unlimited is a multi-artform festival showcasing outstanding dance, performance, comedy, music, poetry and visual art by disabled artists. This biennial festival is a showcase for the ambitious creative projects produced by disabled artists and companies that span across the arts and include new commissions, existing work and bespoke one-off events.
Read the program of the Unlimited festival 2024
Assisted Suicide: The Musical, by Liz Carr
Assisted Suicide: The Musical provoked audiences by subverting notions of choice, dignity, compassion and quality of life through music, comedy, spectacle and shared humanity.
Read more about Assisted Suicide: The Musical
Perceptual Archaeology (or How To Travel Blind), by Alex Blumer, directed by Leah Cherniak
What is it like to travel blind? Blind artist Alex Bulmer welcomes you to her five part “talk” exploring this question. Adapted for theatre from her original blind travel essays, Alex sets off on a dramatic journey that playfully twists and turns across differing geographies and unexpected emotional terrain. Imagine a play created by blind and sighted artists. Imagine a play developed with a love of improvisation, sound, the absurd and uncertain. An audio trailer and an audio programme can be found on the website.
Visit Perceptual Archaeology’s website
James Holman
James Holman was widely known in the 18th and 19th centuries of his wanderings as ‘the Blind Traveller’, a name that has stuck with him. Holman’s initial wanderings took him across Europe , through France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Read more about James Holman’s travels
Creative Connector
Creative Connector is an online arts hub for artists and creatives with disabilities who want to find community and discover accessible events and opportunities in the arts.
Visit Creative Connector’s website
Jo Jo Rideout
Jo Jo Rideout is an actress and a voice coach. She taught at Bishops’s University and the National Theatre School of Canada. She works with students and coaches professional shows to help them connect to the strength and nuance of their own voice.
Lina Chartrand
Lina Chartrand (1948 – 1994) was a Canadian writer and theatre creator. She was a co-founder of the feminist theatre company, Company of Sirens. Her most famous work was the bilingual and partly autobiographical play, La P’tite Miss Easter Seals.