We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script: CONNECT Disability Actor (TV)
HEADLINE: Redefining Theater Norms through Disability Experience
TEASER: Disabled playwright and actor uses humor to defy norms and counter stereotypes
PUBLISHED AT: 07/17/2023
BYLINE: Aaron Fedor
DATELINE: New York City, New York
VIDEOGRAPHER: Aaron Fedor, Kathleen McLaughlin
PRODUCER: Kathleen McLaughlin, Zdenko Novacki
COURTESIES:
SCRIPT EDITORS: AK, MJ
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:59
VID APPROVED BY: AK, MJ
TYPE: VPKGF
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((Eds: This is a self-narrated feature.))
((INTRO))
[[Actor and playwright Ryan J. Haddad crafts sometimes challenging, sometimes dark, and occasionally humorous autobiographical plays. Through his work, he reflects on the experience of living with a disability, finds new ways to make theater accessible to all, and calls for more opportunities for disabled performers. VOA’s Aaron Fedor brings us more from New York City.]]
((NATS/MUSIC))
((NATS: Ryan J. Haddad))
Why are you telling me?
Why are you telling me?
((Courtesy: Falling for Make Believe/The Public Theater))
Why are you telling me my new philosophy?
The teacher gave a D on last week’s homework.
((Ryan J. Haddad, Playwright, Actor))
My theater career began crawling around the living room when I was two and three years old. I would be watching Disney movie cartoons, princess movies, and just want to act them out. I couldn't walk at the time. My primary mode of transportation was crawling around,
((Courtesy: Ryan J. Haddad))
((Ryan J. Haddad, Playwright, Actor))
either on my hands and knees, or later I learned to just crawl on
my knees and sort of hobble around that way. And maybe sometimes I would pretend I was Prince Charming, but often I was pretending that I was a princess. Disney movies were my way in.
((Courtesy: Ryder Haske, Director of Photography/Lookout Productions/Woolly Mammoth Theatre))
((NATS: Ryan J. Haddad))
Grindr is a hookup app that tells you how close you are to the nearest gay, bi, or "straight" man.
((Ryan J. Haddad, Playwright, Actor))
I went to a liberal arts school called Ohio Wesleyan in Delaware, Ohio, at a school where I had a theater scholarship and was encouraged to be a theater major. The professors were having difficulty finding ways for me to fit in into the plays that were offered.
((Courtesy: Ryder Haske, Director of Photography/Lookout Productions/Woolly Mammoth Theatre))
((Ryan J. Haddad , Playwright, Actor))
And I didn't know if it was because I wasn't good enough, or because I walked with a walker and they weren't quite sure what to do with somebody who walked with a walker. So, then I met Tim Miller,
((Courtesy: Leo Garcia))
((Ryan J. Haddad, Playwright, Actor))
a gay and loudly political and outspoken performance artist.
((Courtesy: Alistair McCartney))
((Ryan J. Haddad, Playwright, Actor))
Tim Miller comes to universities still to this day and does these workshops, teaching people how to make autobiographical performance.
((Courtesy: Ryan J. Haddad))
((Ryan J. Haddad, Playwright, Actor))
And Tim said, "This is what you're supposed to be doing. You are supposed to be telling your own stories.
((Courtesy: Ryder Haske, Director of Photography/Lookout Productions/Woolly Mammoth Theatre))
((Ryan J. Haddad, Playwright, Actor))
You are supposed to be playing Ryan and not pretending that his name is Tony or Paul or whatever fictional name you make up.
((Courtesy: Falling for Make Believe/The Public Theater))
((Ryan J. Haddad , Playwright, Actor))
You're not supposed to hand it to another actor. You're supposed to play yourself.
((Courtesy: Ryder Haske, Director of Photography/Lookout Productions/Woolly Mammoth Theatre))
((Ryan J. Haddad, Playwright, Actor))
You can do it. You can make a career of it. Your voice matters. Your gay, disabled voice matters.” And I made a senior project that was called, “Hi, Are You Single?”
((Courtesy: Ryder Haske, Director of Photography/Lookout Productions/Woolly Mammoth Theatre))
((Ryan J. Haddad, Playwright, Actor))
Hi, Are You Single? Hi, Are You Single? Hi, Are You Single?
Hi, Are You Single? Hi, Are You Single? Hi, Are You Single?
((Ryan J. Haddad, Playwright, Actor))
I know my worth as a performer and storyteller,
((Courtesy: Ryan J. Haddad))
((Ryan J. Haddad, Playwright, Actor)) and I'm not going to say I wasn't willing to give up, because that just sounds like I'm, I’m catering to an inspiring inspiration-porn narrative of empowered disability. And I'm very fortunate. And I've worked very, very hard to get here. And I'm not taking it for granted. But I'm also not surprised, because I knew this was where I was meant to be, and I wasn't going to allow anyone to tell me otherwise.
((NATS: Audience applause))
((Courtesy: Ryder Haske, Director of Photography/Lookout Productions/Woolly Mammoth Theatre))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
New York City, New York
Embargo DateJuly 17, 2023 17:54 EDT
Byline
Aaron Fedor, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
