(Self-Advocates teaching others about institutions in a play) 

By: Sue Hutton

Peter Park, Nick Hutchenson, and Kristene Hurdle inside the recording studio.

Kristene’s & Peter’s voices will be real life stories set within the play. They tell their stories – exactly as they are. Having the voices of survivors was very important to the production and has changed the way the play is presented.

In the picture above you’ll see Kristene in the recording studio where she and Peter Park  (survivor, activist, People First of Ontario co-founder, and Respecting Rights co-founder) were invited to record their voices for an upcoming theatre production written by Judith Thompson, award-winning playwright. Peter Park has been well known for advocacy for the last 40 years, but this is the first time Kristene Hurdle is stepping into the light to tell her story and help others.

RARE Theatre is a non-profit theatre company that works to magnify the voice of marginalized individuals using performers from communities that are seldom heard and rarely seen on our stages. RARE Theatre works with artists who are differently-abled, BIPOC and from LGBTQ communities.

RARE is producing a play called “Wildfire”, which is co-produced by Soulpepper. It tackles important issues, like misconceptions about disability, love and relationships.

The actors in Wildfire did not live in institutions, as they are younger. They have learned a lot from hearing Peter Park’s story, as well as Kristene’s story.

Wildfire is set in an institution for people with intellectual disabilities. In the play, the story of Romeo & Juliet is told in the voices of the actors. As a way of fighting back against the abuses of the institution, the actors put on this play about relationships and love.

Kristene and Peter are mentors for a younger generation – teaching people through theatre about the institutions, and how important it is for people to make their own decisions in life about their relationships.

For more information on the play:

Accessible tickets and ODSP discounts are available.
May 2 – May 20 is the run time.
The Young Centre for the Performing Arts
50 Tank House Lane, Distillery District
http://www.raretheatre.org/

Read the full edition of Connections Newsletter March 2017