A word from our Executive Director,

Teresa Thuman:

I have worked as a professional theatre artist, actor, director, teacher, producer and administrator since 1980. Much of my career has been in traditional regional theatres and conservatories accruing over 1000 professional production credits. My own declining mobility in recent decades has reshaped my priorities for access, my cultural sensibilities toward disability aesthetics, and a mission to realize authentic representation in the performing arts.

I was honored to serve on the accessibility commission of the Friends of the Waterfront, and I am intimately aware of their commitment to access and serving historically underserved communities --including people who identify as disabled and experience barriers to engagement in many aspects of public life. I was approached to continue my collaboration as an artist with the Friends of the Waterfront, and to support them in their goals to create events that are consistent with their values to serve the diversity of our community.

As a local disabled theatre artist, active theatrical producer and a dedicated advocate for disability justice, I am uniquely suited to help launch a cultural festival that celebrates the creativity, ingenuity and joyful expressions of my fellow disabled artists.

I have been actively building community with diverse and intersectional communities towards the goal of recognizing our common humanity. This innovative work has brought me to connect with disabled actors, dancers, musicians, playwrights and visual artists who express their lived experience in unique and transformative works of pure expression.