Break A Leg! Disability in the Arts

Nov 03 2022 12 ep. 48 mins 25

Break A Leg! Disability in the Arts Podcast artwork

Break a Leg! is a podcast that explores the relationship between disability and the arts. Join playwright and advocate Nicole Zimmerer and her guests as they cover topics in theatre, film, TV, studio arts, music, and more. We’ll be spilling the “Disabili-Tea” on current and past events in disability history and investigate the future of accessibility in the arts. This podcast is perfect for fans of the arts looking to learn more about disability representation and arts accessibility in a fun and casual setting. Produced by Scott MacDonald | Artwork by Sasha & Alexander Schwartz

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A Disability Rights Primer with Betty Siegel

Nov 03 2022 60 mins

Wow wow wow we’re back! And with one of our best episodes yet! Nicole is joined by superstar Betty Siegel who lays out the essential information when it comes to disability rights in the Unites States arts sector. Betty also explains why she believes that cultural experiences are a critical civil and human right. What are the turning points in American disability rights history?

Creating Accessible Spaces with Marisa Rinchiuso

Feb 21 2022 65 mins

Nicole is joined by fellow Carnegie Mellon alum Marisa Rinchiuso (and her dog Remy) to dish all the (not so hot) Emmy Awards goss, dig into the intersections of disability and womanhood, and discuss the connection between inhumane working conditions and ableism. Other topics include: going on a Disabled Rage Rampage™️, progressive disabilities in the workplace, building for the

Jumping Jack Theater with Stephen Santa & Claire Carbone

Dec 19 2021 64 mins

Nicole is joined by Stephen Santa and (surprise!) Claire Carbone for a deep-dive on Jumping Jack Theater, a Pittsburgh-based theatre company specializing in sensory-enriched theatre for young autistic audiences. They discuss the company’s production history and approach to crafting theatrical experiences that empower children with autism, and how they have adapted to the pandemic

Trailer: Break A Leg! on the TECHnically Speaking Podcast

Dec 09 2021 1 mins

Make sure to check out our interview on the USITT TECHnically Speaking podcast! Nicole and Scott joined Jenn Shuron from the United States Institute for Theatre Technology to discuss how they met, the creation of Break A Leg!, and more. Listen to the interview on... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/breaking-down-disability-in-the-industry/id1496209270?i=1000541

Playwriting with Adrienne Dawes

Aug 31 2021 72 mins

Nicole’s friend and fellow playwright Adrienne Dawes joined us for this episode to talk about writing from different perspectives and in different genres. What have these playwrights been working on? Why do we need popcorn plays? Is Austin still weird? Listen to find out! Adrienne Dawes is a writer, producer, and teaching artist currently based in Fayetteville, AR. Adrienne's pla

Producing Theatre That Scares You with Michael Patrick Thornton

Jul 31 2021 53 mins

Michael Patrick Thornton is the co-founder and artistic director of Chicago's The Gift Theatre. He joined Nicole to talk about producing, his career on stage and television, casting, representation, the “cripple card,” traveling abroad in a wheelchair, and more! The Gift Theatre online: Website: https://thegifttheatre.org/ Instagram: @thegifttheatre Facebook: https://www.facebo

Theatre Workplace Accommodations with Alondra Santos-Castillo

Jul 08 2021 50 mins

Alondra Santos-Castillo is a theatrical stage manager, scenic designer, and artist. Nicole and Alondra discuss what it's like to have arthrogryposis in the workplace, some important US legislation, Alondra's recent entrepreneurial venture, Nicole's ideal "man meat," and more!Find Alondra online! Instagram: @mamaduckysessentials Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MamaDuckysEssential

The Voice Inside with Gena Sims

Jun 25 2021 50 mins

Gena Sims is a performer, the founder of the Autism Theater Project, and a fellow Carnegie Mellon alum. She's producing "The Voice Inside," a new web series about how real teens, especially teens with disabilities, face challenges in their lives and succeed. Find Gena online! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/genasings Instagram: @genasims19 The Autism Theater Project on Facebook:

Rhetoric and Representation with Sydney Mayer

Jun 11 2021 44 mins

Nicole is joined by her friend Sydney Mayer to discuss disability representation in media (what really is "representation"?). They dive deep on disability and rhetoric, the words "Handicap" and "Accessibility," Inspo-Porn, character tropes, and more! Sydney Mayer is a writer and dramaturg currently based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She holds a BFA in Drama with a minor in Literatu

Disability on the Stage and on the Page with Alethea Bakogeorge

May 28 2021 68 mins

Alethea Bakogeorge joins Nicole to discuss life with cerebral palsy, disability in the audition room, what it means to write and play nuanced disabled characters, and more! Alethea Bakogeorge is a physically disabled actor, arts administrator, and arts accessibility professional. She has worked extensively in American and Canadian theatre, and originated the role of Chrissie in the