Disability Project

The DisAbility Project , produced by That Uppity Theatre Company, is an award-winning, innovative theatrical experience that creates original short pieces, including scenes, dance, and rap, about the culture of disability. It is one of the only projects of its kind in the country.

They have performed for over 85,000 people and have sparked the imaginations and empathy of audiences of all ages. The DisAbility Project was honored to perform their famous rap for an audience of 6,500 people for the opening of the United Methodist Women’s International Conference at the Edward Jones Dome.

Now in its 15th season, the DisAbility Project brings awareness and sensitivity to issues in the disability community through a combination of art and advocacy that tours to a variety of audiences. Justin Ivan Brown, Ana Jennings, and Bryan Jones perform a scene from The Adventures of Tom, Becky, and Huck for 1,200 students in University City. The DisAbility Project adapted the classic novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, from a disability perspective.

In 1995, theatre artist Joan Lipkin (right) and occupational therapist and JCC Hall of Fame member Fran Cohen (left) co-founded the DisAbility Project.

Alison Chancellor (seated) and guest artist Hannah Joyce (standing) dance. Sometimes, audiences are surprised to see people with disabilities dance, but dance, singing, rap, and comedy are all part of the Project’s repertoire. The DisAbility Project is comprised of people with and without disabilities to model inclusion.

Artistic Director Joan Lipkin (standing) and ensemble members Ana Jennings (middle) and Lucy Grondahl (background) perform a scene from one of the Project’s most requested pieces, Hello . This popular piece depicts a not uncommon scenario of what to do when a curious child might want to make friends with a person with disabilities. Equal parts art and education, the Project explores many issues, including disability and etiquette.

Following a taping by the Higher Education Channel at Crossroads College Preparatory School for an international internet broadcast, members of the DisAbility Project and students celebrate. Most performances include opportunities for audiences to meet and get to know the Project members up close and personal.

The Project provides students with an opportunity to assess their attitudes and awareness prior to and after seeing a performance. It’s exciting to see how perceptions shift.

Some ensemble members perform a piece called I Am a Work of Art . Some of the challenges facing participants have included alcoholism, amputation, asthma, bipolar disorder, blindness, brain injury, cancer, cerebral palsy, cognitive delay, depression, Down syndrome, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, polio, spina bifida, spinal cord injury, and stroke.

Ensemble members engage in conversation, writing, sound, movement, and theatrical exercises to create educational and entertaining performance pieces on the culture of disability.

Some members of the DisAbility Project celebrate with Mayor Francis Slay at the Missouri History Museum, following the opening of the Americans with Disabilities Act 20 Years Later exhibit. In recognition of their groundbreaking work, the Project has received numerous awards, including the Governor’s Council on Disability Community Enhancement, Focus What's Right with the Region for Improving Racial Equality and Social Justice, John van Voris, Human Rights Campaign Organizational Equality Award, and Arts for Life Special Recognition, among others.

Many people with disabilities are finding both a sense of community and an outlet for their talents in the project, while the artists without disabilities have had their worldview expanded.

Disability Project

by Missouri History Museum on May 18, 2011

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