Disability in Theatre, TV and Movies, or the acting profession. Why is it rightly unacceptable for actors to ‘black up’ to play roles, whereas it is more acceptable for able-bodied actors to play disabled roles?.
Description How does the industry include / exclude actors with disabilities? Why are disabled actors ignored when it comes to playing disabled roles, and are there enough disabled roles offered in productions? Frances Ryan, 13th Jan 2015: “While ‘blacking up’ is rightly now greeted with outrage, ‘cripping up’ is still greeted with awards. In both cases, actors use prosthetics or props to alter their appearance in order to look like someone from a minority group. In both cases, they often manipulate their voice or body to mimic them. They take a job from an actor who genuinely has that characteristic, and, in doing so, perpetuate that group’s underrepresentation in the industry.” How does employment law affect the issue around producers employing disabled actors, over someone who is physically able to play a disabled part? What considerations need to be addressed regarding facilitating disabled actors – i.e. chaperoning, medical attention, creating a ‘safe space’, etc. Sometimes it may be better to employ an able-bodied actor to play the role of somebody with a disability for the fact the disabled person may not have the capability to act in such a role. While this may be challenging for the able-bodied actor, it could be very rewarding if they do the part justice, especially if the actor is a fully established professional, who could then bring publicity and recognition and awareness to the condition.