Upon delving into the history of disability, institutionalization and ableism in the United States, Ph.D. candidate Alexis Riley felt a strong urge to memorialize the thousands of individuals whose remains are unclaimed and unmarked in State Hospital cemeteries across the nation. kin • song: ode to disability ancestors was born out of this research. Riley and her collaborators have formed what she calls an “embodied memorial,” utilizing movement, song, puppetry and lyrical text to honor the ghosts of our disability ancestors through performance. We recently spoke with Riley to get a deeper understanding of the origins and themes that course through this important digital performance ritual.

Continue Reading Alexis Riley on Creating an Embodied Memorial for our Disability Ancestors

Guest blog contributor and director of “Kimmy,” Yunina Barbour-Payne discusses the inspiration behind the superhero story of Kemi, the importance of representation in theatre for young audiences and the hero within all of us. After recently concluding a tour to schools in the Austin area, “Kimmy,” an interactive radio play, returns to the stage at the Oscar G. Brockett Theatre this December.

Continue Reading Approaching “KIMMY”: The Black Girl Hero Who Battles Multiple Pandemics