Rana Mohammadi’s Post

Embedding Accessibility in all we do! Video 8, of 12, is all about the urgency to create systemic change in the way Accessibility is seen, understood, and actioned in an organisation. Working with Michele Taylor, MBE and a team of awesome people and associates at Ramps on the Moon, me and my peers are on a journey to discover and then challenge ableist structures and attitudes in order to break down barriers. I will say it again, Accessibility should be Always On! It is not an ‘if and when’ agenda. If we learn to move from a place of inclusion with diverse intersecting of ground up ideas, thinking, planning and action, then Access is then a core component of any creation of place, project, or programme. As part of building the right approach to Access, it must crosscut all functions. It must be engaged with from all directions. How do you embed Access in all you do? Read more about the Change Partner Programme by clicking this URL https://lnkd.in/ePDbQfRp #AlwaysOnAccess #Accessibility #Theatre #Arts #ArtKind Video ID: Paul facing camera, wearing a blue jumper. The words ‘#8 Time to Embed Change, are visible at the top left of the screen. Captions are displayed throughout

🌟 Unlock Drama: Creating Spaces for Growth and Understanding 🌟 At Unlock Drama, we believe that every voice matters and every story deserves to be heard. Our projects are not just about acting—they’re transformative experiences that help participants appreciate differences, confront challenges, and express themselves openly. 🔹 Celebrate Diversity - We celebrate the rich tapestry of human experiences, encouraging participants to appreciate and embrace differences. 🔹 Empowerment Through Dialogue - Our drama projects empower individuals, challenging stereotypes and promoting critical thinking through engaging dialogue. 🔹 Inclusivity in Art - We ensure equitable access to the arts, making sure everyone can participate and benefit from the creative process. 🔹 Constructive Conversations - By facilitating open and respectful exchanges, we foster environments where participants can explore various perspectives and grow. Unlock Drama is dedicated to using theatre as a tool to build resilience, enhance empathy, and improve community cohesion. Join us in celebrating the power of drama to transform lives. 🔗 Learn more about our impact and join our upcoming projects at www.unlockdrama.com #UnlockDrama #TheatreForChange #EmpathyThroughArt #CommunityBuilding

Theater a/d Rijn invites you to the Symposium: Relaxed Performance as a Creative Force on Monday 17/06. In this day-long event, we invite everyone to reflect on the phenomenon of relaxed performance as a creative force for diverse theatrical experiences. These practices aim to create an open and welcoming environment for people with different needs and disabilities, in particular by providing a low-stimulus experience. But can we look beyond this pragmatic perspective? Questions being explored: - How can ideas around relaxed performance generate new ways of thinking about performing arts? - In what ways can relaxed performance be places of encounter? - How can we curate accessible spaces that account for the wide range of needs within different disabilities? - How can we use the tension between relaxed and exciting to think creatively? The Symposium itself is also a relaxed event and is mostly in English. Tickets The entrance to the Symposium is free, but we ask you to register in advance via the ticket button: https://lnkd.in/ezfkZNDs

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Video six in a series of 12 is a simple reminder to plan. In my experience, taking the time to carefully plan is consistently overlooked in many functions in the performing arts sector. Interestingly, the way in which the industry plans for a performance from a technical production perspective is (mostly) meticulous. However, a lot of functions around the production can seem reactive. Accessibility as a reaction is not acceptable. Yes, being flexible in the moment is important, but great flexibility takes great planning. Bringing Access into a more centralised planning process has been rewarding. It has moved the work into a more conscious and therefore consistent workflow. The 2024-2025 season is already vastly improved because we are more prepared rather than just reacting. 2025-2026 season will improve again. I have said previously that action is needed, but it cannot always be so reactive. The results of meticulously planned ‘Access action’ will always reap more rewards for all involved. #AlwaysOnAccess #Accessibility #Theatre #Planning #ArtKind #Inclusion Video ID. Paul facing the camera in a dark blue hoodie, sat on a grey sofa. The words “#6 Time to Plan” are visable in the top left of the frame. Captions are displayed throughout.

“We just can’t do it!” When obstacles arrive, how can we do something a bit different to work around it, and use the situation as an opportunity to progress beyond what the standard is? Video 4 of 12, is titled ‘Time for Digital’. In this video I wanted to share about using a ‘problem to solve’ to your advantage to try something new. Working with an amazing team of creatives in Dec 2023, we create a relaxed performance welcome video. Thinking digital, gave more opportunity to use an accessible resource in multiple ways. What is usually viewed only by those with tickets live on the day, now became both a powerful familiarisation and advocacy tool. It was sent to ticket holders and potential audiences via email and played on screens in the venue, supporting public education to take place for those visitors passing through. This also mean’t that on arrival, audiences could meet the characters before entering the theatre and learn about any surprising moments. Going digital with this resource opened up new ways of exploring Access and invited different departments to get involved. Check out the Wolf Witch Giant Fairy Welcome video on YouTube using the URL link below. https://lnkd.in/emJtJRdt #AlwaysOnAccess #DigitalAccess #Theatre #Accessibility #ArtKind Video ID: Paul is facing the camera in a blue checked shirt and black t-shirt. The words “Time for Digital” are visible in the top left corner of the screen. Captions are visible throughout.

Celebrating National Arts in Education Week. Highlighting the importance of Theater and Theater Education. Theater is a powerful catalyst for developing creativity and imagination. Through the process of creating and performing, youth are encouraged to think outside the box, explore different perspectives, and bring their ideas to life. Theater involves stepping into various characters' shoes and understanding their experiences. This not only enhances empathy but also broadens youth's ability to view situations from multiple angles. From improvisation exercises to tackling complex scripts, theater challenges youth to find creative solutions and adapt to unexpected situations, honing their problem-solving abilities. By practicing dialogue, body language, and vocal expression, youth learn to convey ideas effectively and engage audiences, strengthening their overall communication skills. Theater provides a platform for youth to express themselves in unique and innovative ways, whether through acting, set design, or script writing. Working as part of a theater troupe fosters teamwork and collaboration, as youth contribute their individual ideas to a collective project, learning to blend creativity with others’ contributions. Theater encourages imaginative thinking by inviting youth to invent stories, create characters, and envision new worlds, which nurtures their ability to think creatively and imaginatively. Theater not only sparks creativity and imagination but also cultivates a range of skills that are valuable both in the arts and in everyday life. #Theater #TheaterEducation #Education #ArtEducation #TheaterLife #Actors #Directors #Play #Playwright #FocusOnEducation #Anacostia #Arts #Culture #DMVArts @TheDCArts #DCArts #DCArtists

TWO WAYS THE ARTS ARE CONFRONTING INEQUITIES (1) RISE Theatre, a program of Maestra Music co-founded by the Miranda Family Fund and Lin-Manuel Miranda, will host the first-ever RISE Summit, an event for theatre changemakers on Tuesday, September 24, at the New York Library for the Performing Arts, connecting a diverse group of artists, industry leaders, and advocates committed to creating a more equitable and inclusive theatre community. Read more: https://lnkd.in/erVVF39K (2) A group of US-based museum professionals, artists, and cultural workers have banded together to launch a new group that they hope will remedy decades-old fractures within art institutions. The group, known as Readying the Museum (RTM), was first kicked off in 2021, but it was not until Friday that the first stage of its program was made public. RTM will now put a focus on how managers and executive staff, and the ways these power figures maintain inequities in their ranks. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eydmKxpk #SweibelArts #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #DEI

It's tempting to ask, "Why aren't audiences coming back?" But the real question is, "Are we listening to them?" We're clearly at a crossroads. The arts aren't just struggling; they are on the brink of collapse particularly in the areas of new and developing work. And with this comes a need to truly understand what our community is yearning for. A loneliness epidemic is sweeping through our city, a challenge we didn't expect post-lockdown. Sharon Avery from the Toronto Foundation puts it bluntly: “We thought things would improve post-lockdown, but it's only gotten worse.” This isn't just about filling seats; it's about filling a void in our collective spirit. What's needed now? A shift in focus. A shift in priority of funding. Gideon Arthurs of Soulpepper Theatre Company hits the nail on the head: it's about fostering human connections. We're here to bring people together, to create a sense of belonging. So, what do you think? How can we, as a community, reinvent the arts to meet these deep-seated needs? Let's talk about it - send me a message or post your thoughts in the comments. #TorontoArts #HearOurCommunity #ArtAsConnection #ArtsCrisis #lonliness #lonlinessepidemic

If you teach kids or want to more about Mr. Ailey’s inspiring life, check this out!

"It's never too late to dare to do something you've dreamed of or never thought you could do. This theater workshop for adults is only for those who dare to do something to feel proud and prove to themselves that age is just a number and that years only serve to help us free ourselves from internal judgments. Allow yourself to explore your creativity, express yourself without fear, and immerse yourself in a world of unique emotions and experiences. Theater is a powerful tool for liberation and self-discovery that will allow you to connect with yourself in a unique and special way. No matter how old you are, what matters is the willingness and desire to surpass yourself and live fully. In this workshop, you will find a safe and welcoming space to experiment, grow, and feel proud of every step you take on the stage of life. Are you ready to challenge your own limits and discover your full artistic potential? Join us on this exciting journey of self-discovery. #NeverTooLate #DreamBig #TheaterWorkshop #SelfDiscovery #CreativityUnleashed #ExpressYourself #EmbraceYourPotential #ArtisticJourney #FearlessExpression #AgeIsJustANumber #ProudOfYourself #InnerStrength #LiveFully #ChallengeYourself