Actor reflects on inclusivity factor in theatre world.

Kate Booker displays mockup drawing of a Loud Creative poster. Photo: Ocean Daniel

The theatre is my home away from home.  My second family,  my extra siblings, and the place where I have made life long friendships.

It has a special place in my heart because it celebrates my uniqueness and uplifts me when I do the unexpected.

I write about my life in the performing arts as a pastime. I live with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy and the stage has been a constant source of inspiration for me.

After trying a variety of sports, the theatre bug bit me.

In October 2018, I was invited to sing by director and actor Mel Martin, at the opening of a new Hamilton Theatre Company called LOUD Creative.  The invitation could not have come at a better (or worse) time.  I had been hunting for artistic ways to help me recover from tendon surgery.

Loud is an inclusive theatre company that promotes a sense of belonging for differently abled artists.

I had a realisation: LOUD was the place to be to aid with my temporary stage self-consciousness. The surgery had left me with scars, which gave me a feeling of uncertainty, and as if the only thing the audience could see were my long red marks.

I got up and sang, found it a healing experience, and I noticed that inclusive theatre needs more attention.

I decided to talk with the founder/director of LOUD, Kate Booker, about her thoughts on inclusive theatre.

Kate first started in the performing arts when she tried to get into theatre at a young age in Wellington but she ended up studying theatre, screen and media at Waikato University.

“I studied and I just fell in love with theatre, and being on stage, and creating other people and other worlds.

“Our ethos is to create theatre for marginalised groups in New Zealand who don’t get a platform to speak… it’s just about shifting your perspective on what you can and can’t do.”

Theatres are making their organisations more accessible as society advances; and after performing for a decent amount of time, I have realised I fit with a lot of different companies that make it a priority to have theatrically inclusive environments.

I asked Kate what made Loud  Creative unique and she reflects on their mission.  “…I personally have an emphasis on our disabled communities, because I think there is a big hole there.”

Being someone who loves musical theatre, my theatre family fills a hole like nothing else I have ever been a part of.

Theatre became my lifestyle, it’s what I do, and in the words of A Chorus Line is “what I did for love.”