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In 2024, Adelaide Fringe teamed up with Access2Arts to host a vital conversation about the realities of life as a disabled artist. This panel discussion brought together a diverse group of creators—Vincy Chan, Henry Nicholls, Jannali Jones, Libby Trainor Parker, and Kendrea Rhodes—to share their lived experiences, creative processes, and the unique challenges of navigating the world’s second-largest arts festival.

Contents

Watch the Session

Filmed: 20/02/2024

Key Takeaways

  • Fringe is a learning lab: The open-access nature of the festival allows artists to invent, fail, and try again in a supportive environment.
  • Accessibility is not just for audiences: True inclusion means ensuring performers have the backstage access, technical support, and energy management they need to succeed.
  • The power of checking in: Regular communication with your cast and crew about energy levels can fundamentally change how a Show is delivered and managed.
  • Visibility matters: Sharing lived experiences through art helps bridge the gap between "masking" disabilities and finding community empowerment.

Fringe as a Creative Platform

For many artists, the Adelaide Fringe is more than just a performance window; it is a foundational part of their professional identity. Libby Trainor Parker, a festival veteran, describes the festival as a space that allows you to "invent and reinvent yourself." Because it is an Open Access festival, it offers a "right to try" that is essential for artists developing their craft, regardless of whether they are staging one Show or twenty.

For emerging artists like Henry Nicholls and Vincy Chan, Fringe serves as a high-intensity learning environment. Henry highlights the value of seeing diverse work to expand the sense of what is possible on stage, while Vincy reflects on the steep learning curve of moving from performer to self-producer. This shift requires managing budgets, logistics, and accessibility requirements—often for the first time.

The Regional Reach

The panel also touched on the geographical expansion of the festival. Kendrea Rhodes highlighted the importance of Fringe moving into regional South Australia, noting that accessibility is often too centralized in metropolitan areas. By taking Shows to the Adelaide Hills or regional centers, artists can reach diverse audiences who might otherwise be excluded from the festival experience.

Vulnerability and Safety

Creating work based on lived experience—whether it’s chronic illness, neurodivergence, or mental health—comes with a unique set of emotional demands. Henry Nicholls notes that while performance can provide a protective layer of "separation" from reality, the aftermath of sharing deeply personal stories can be shaky. The panel agreed that while the audience connection is powerful, artists must build their own "cocoons" of safety.

Jannali Jones shared the specific tension of performing work that reflects family history or personal struggle. Often, it is easier to share these truths with a room full of strangers than to have a direct conversation with family members. This underscores a critical point for Fringe artists: your Show is a valid form of communication and advocacy, even when direct dialogue feels impossible.

Identity and Intersectionality

Disability rarely exists in a vacuum. For many panelists, their disabled identity interplays with their culture, gender, and migration status. Vincy Chan noted that for many first-generation immigrants, prominent identities like race or trans identity often lead, while disability remains invisible or stigmatized in their home cultures. "Disabilities has never really been in the forefront of my work, but it definitely informs the way that I think about the world," Vincy explained.

Many artists experience a "late diagnosis" or spend years masking their symptoms. Kendrea Rhodes and Libby Trainor Parker both spoke about the empowerment that comes with finally having words to describe their experiences. Rather than seeing a diagnosis as a limitation, they found it provided a bridge to connect with others. As Kendrea noted, understanding her own neurodivergence made her more empathetic and driven to create work that empowers others.

Managing Capacity

The "hustle" culture of Fringe can be dangerous for artists with limited energy reserves. The panel was refreshingly honest about managing capacity, admitting they often "manage it poorly" and end up pushing themselves to the point of physical stress. Jannali Jones shared her experience of the physical toll stress can take, advising others to delegate tasks where possible rather than trying to save money by doing everything solo.

The "No" Muscle

Kendrea Rhodes introduced a vital concept: exercising the "no" muscle. In a creative community that prizes "on" time and constant networking, saying no to an event or an extra task can be the most professional thing an artist can do for the longevity of their career. Libby added that "crawling to the finish line" is common, but taking even small breaks can make the difference between finishing the season and burning out.

Actionable Tips

  • Schedule "Parachute Days": Block out half-days or full days in your Fringe calendar where nothing is scheduled. If an emergency arises, you have the space; if not, you have a mandatory rest day.
  • Budget for Accessibility: Don't make accessibility an afterthought. Include costs for Auslan Interpreters, accessible venues, and transport in your initial Show budget.
  • Use the "Check-In" Method: Before every rehearsal or performance, have every cast and crew member share their energy level. If the team is low-energy, adjust the stakes or the intensity of the session to suit.
  • Ask for Accommodations: Don't assume a venue can't help. Whether it's sitting near a speaker for auditory processing or requiring a quiet space backstage. They often say yes if they know what is needed.
  • Identify as a Beginner: If you are a veteran performer but a first-time producer, treat yourself with the patience you’d give a novice. You are learning a completely new skill set.

Additional Resources