#3: Inclusion is an action.
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Reflection post development workshops with singers for Emergenc/y (Day 2):
The way we made room for the state of mind of participants changed activities. This is about accessibility. (Neurodiverse participant) X had to leave during the ‘quiet sounds’ jam because they didn’t know how the recorded sounds had been generated. They couldn’t see the source; this made them feel uncomfortable. This factors into considerations of sound design; that I must have sound sources visible, or at least traceable, perhaps with players visible, if we want neurodiverse audiences (and performers!) to engage.
Inclusivity is in action, not just words. I thought I was already being ‘inclusive’ by using improvisation and report data in my methodology. Turns out once that general framework is established, inclusion then becomes really nuanced. By accepting and embracing people’s contributions and perspectives you invite them into the whole process. This included performers leading relaxation exercises, suggesting layouts, set-up and lighting, deciding which direction they were facing as we workshopped a scene; it extended to everything about their involvement. Almost half of our performers are neurodiverse so it’s presenting all kinds of alternative angles on ideas, learning modes, sensitivities, abilities, approaches, endurances, tolerance levels, etc. I’m learning that genuine inclusion means adapting the process and the work itself to the circumstances, not taking for granted performers will necessarily do what I want in the ways I expect!
