active access design lab: creative infrastructure
co-creator
This project’s ambition is to build upon previous research to create an affordable and accessible path for disabled artists (and those facing other barriers) to join live creation remotely, and to test and provide that toolkit at Presentation House Theatre, and ultimately beyond.
We aim to create new pathways of access, opportunity, and equal and full participation in the performing arts, particularly in the small theatre and micro theatre creations spaces common to most independent artists.
AAD LABS, BOUCHE THEATRE COLLECTIVE & PRESENTATION HOUSE THEATRE
August – September, 2024 @ Presentation House Theatre
TEAM
Concept by Jack Paterson & Hannah Siden | Systems Designer: Kaeden Atkinson-Hill | Creative Technician: Jason Niron | Consulting Artists: Joel Grinke, Vanka Salim & Paul D Powers | Stage Manager & Creative Technician: Andy Sandberg
SUPPORTED BY
British Columbia Arts Council, Presentation House Theatre, BoucheWhacked
active access design lab: directors and designers
director | collaborating artist
This project partnered directors Paul D. Power (Powers Productions) and Hannah Siden with designers Joel Grinke and Vanka Salim in an inter-provincial laboratory to examine how to apply active access design, cross sensory translation and universal design to the design, direction and creation of small theatre.
Early research explorations included consultation as process; scheduling structures accommodating crip time; digitally distributed work; cross sensory translation dramaturgy; integrating safe spaces in public performance; integrating access in set design; digital directing; and accessible rehearsal and performance space for mobility challenged artists. (Description thanks to Jack Paterson).
WESTERN THEATRE FORCE COLLECTIVE
In association with Presentation House Theatre & Bouche Theatre Collective
June—July, 2023 @ Presentation House Theatre
TEAM
Hannah Siden - Director
Paul D. Power - Director
Jack Paterson - Project Leader & Creative Producer
Anika Vervecken - Project Leader
Joel Grinke - Creative Technologist
Vanka Salim - Creative Design
SUPPORTED BY
Canada Council for the Arts, BoucheWhacked, Presentation House Theatre, Global Hive Labs
active access design lab: new writing
writer | associate artist
A pan-Canadian digital laboratory examining how to apply the philosophies of active access, cross sensory translation and universal design to the creation of new Canadian playwriting.
The lab examined the role of the playwright in access and pathways to integrating access into new writing. Guest speaker workshops included new media artist Milton Lim, conceptual artist with sight loss Collin van Uchellen, surtitles artist Anika Vervecken, sighted describers, and interpreters. (Description thanks to Jack Paterson).
WESTERN THEATRE FORCE COLLECTIVE
In association with Presentation House Theatre & Bouche Theatre Collective
July—December, 2022 @ Digital Workshop
TEAM
Justin Neal - Writer
Hannah Siden - Writer, Associate Artist
Chris Dodd - Writer
Debbie Patterson - Writer
April Hubbard - Writer
Paul D. Power - Writer, Collaborating Artist
Jack Paterson - Project Leader & Creative Producer
Anika Vervecken - Project Leader
SUPPORTED BY
Canada Council for the Arts, BoucheWhacked, Presentation House Theatre, Global Hive Labs