Turning Point

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Arts & Disability Ireland and Fishamble: The New Play Company commissioned four artists with disabilities to write new short theatre pieces for a writing initiative entitled Turning Point. Staged readings were performed in Project Arts Centre in Dublin and at the Lansburgh Theatre in Washington D.C. as part of the VSA International Festival.

‘Ellipsis’ by John Austin Connolly
‘Should Have Gone To Lourdes’ by Stephen Kennedy
‘How Very Normal’ by Steve Daunt
‘Rings!’ by Rosaleen McDonagh

Turning Point was initially presented at the Project Arts Centre’s Space Upstairs in March, 2010 directed by Jim Culleton. The reading was performed by Cathy Belton, Michael Collins, John Cronin, Phelim Drew, Darragh Kelly, Mary Murray, Colin O’ Donoghue and Donal Toolan.

Arts & Disability Ireland and Fishamble: The New Play Company were invited to contribute the selection of plays as a staged reading in June, 2010 at the Lansburgh Theatre in Washington D.C. as part of the VSA International Festival, which brings together artists, educators, researchers, and policymakers with and without disabilities from around the world for a multicultural celebration of the arts and education.

Project Arts Centre
Dublin
Wednesday 31st March, 2010

2010 International VSA Festival
Lansburgh Theatre
Washington DC, USA
7th June 2010

Read article Which one is the Artist? by Sara Keating, published in The Irish Times, Friday 23rd April 2010

Jason Lott and Alexandria Wailes during a staged reading of Rings by Rosaleen McDonagh at the Lansburgh Theatre in Washington D.C. as part of the VSA International Festival. Photo: Bathsheba Fournier

Jason Lott and Alexandria Wailes during a staged reading of Rings by Rosaleen McDonagh at the Lansburgh Theatre in Washington D.C. as part of the VSA International Festival. Photo: Bathsheba Fournier.

But is being defined as a disabled artist such a bad thing? Disabled experience is ripe for artistic exploration.

Steve Daunt - writer

Captions on display at Staged reading of Turning Point at the Lansburgh Theatre in Washington D.C. as part of the VSA International Festival. Photo: Bathsheba Fournier

Captions on display at staged reading of Turning Point at the Lansburgh Theatre in Washington D.C. as part of the VSA International Festival. Photo: Bathsheba Fournier.

Brian Hemmingsen and Nanna Ingvarsson during staged reading of ‘Ellipsis’ by John Austin Connolly at the Lansburgh Theatre in Washington D.C. Photo: Bathsheba Fournier

Brian Hemmingsen and Nanna Ingvarsson during staged reading of ‘Ellipsis’ by John Austin Connolly at the Lansburgh Theatre in Washington D.C. Photo: Bathsheba Fournier.

Jason Lott and Christopher Wolfe during a staged reading of Should Have Gone To Lourdes by Stephen Kennedy at the Lansburgh Theatre in Washington D.C. Photo: Bathsheba Fournier

Jason Lott and Christopher Wolfe during a staged reading of Should Have Gone To Lourdes by Stephen Kennedy at the Lansburgh Theatre in Washington D.C. Photo:Bathsheba Fournier.

Turning Point writers Steve Daunt, Rosaleen McDonagh, Stephen Kennedy and John Austin Connolly during a post reading discussion with Gavin Kostick. Photo:Bathsheba Fournier

Turning Point writers Steve Daunt, Rosaleen McDonagh, Stephen Kennedy and John Austin Connolly during a post reading discussion with Gavin Kostick. Photo:Bathsheba Fournier.

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