Breaking Down Barriers

Equity Plans Forum, Discussion on Breaking Down Barriers for Performers With Disabilities

Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - 7 PM

SAG James Cagney Board Room, 5757 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Equity's Western Regional Equal Employment Opportunities Committee will host a forum and discussion, Breaking Down Barriers: Inclusion In The Performing Arts and Media for Performers With Disabilities, on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 7 p.m. in the James Cagney Board Room at SAG, 5757 Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles. The event is sponsored by the Committee in association with the Tri-Guild Performers With Disabilities Committee and is open to AEA, AFTRA and SAG members as well as the performing arts community, especially both Equity and non-Equity performers with disabilities.

"Our goal is to work with our sister unions to strengthen awareness and outreach between performers with disabilities and the theatre community," said Councillor Nancy Daly, Equity Chair to the Tri-Union PWD Committee. "Through this symposium, Equity intends to provide a forum that will 'open the door' in many directions: educating our fellow actors about the opportunities available in Equity theatres through EPAs; reaffirming our commitment to non-traditional casting, and educating the theatre industry about the talents and resources with the PWD community."

The evening will feature guest speakers including: Linda Bove - DeafWest Theatre Company; Michael John Garces - Artistic Director of the Cornerstone Theatre Company; Amy Lieberman, CSA - Independent Theatre Casting Director; Lynn Manning, AEA Member, National PWD Committee Member; Tony Martinez - theatrical agent/GVA; and Ann Stocking, AEA Member, National PWD Committee Member.

Scenes will be presented from DOUBT, PROOF, and THE HISTORY OF BOWLING, as well as an open forum with audience participation. Actors' Equity hopes that this event will open the door in many directions, by educating and and raising awareness within the entertainment and theatrical industry about the wonderful talent pool of performers with disablities; and reaching out to the acting community about opportunities available to them in the theatre.

Plenty of handicapped parking available. Wheelchair accessible. Sign language interpreters will be present.

There will be light refreshments at 6:30 PM and parking will be validated. Open to all AEA, AFTRA and SAG members as well as members of the disability community. Reservations are recommended. Please RSVP to westernrsvp@actorsequity.org or call (323) 978-8086.