Arts & Education Council Newsletter "Brush Strokes"

That Uppity Theatre Company
Breaking Down Barriers!
~Sandi Wright
Winter Issue 2001-2002

"Four eyes!"

"Gimp!"

"That’s a lame excuse."

"She is so ADD"

"Schitzo!"

These are some of the insensitive and hurtful comments that creep into our vocabulary and are boldly and shamelessly tackled by That Uppity Theatre Company’s DisAbility Project, a St. Louis-based ensemble that is receiving international attention and doing its hometown proud.

An unlikely, but extremely likeable troupe of actors, dancers and singers, these professionals are a mix of men and women, abled and disabled, wheelchair-bound, legally blind, physically-challenged and very effective performers who, in less than a few minutes manage to make you laugh, look and think about what the worlds is like through their eyes. They walk and roll into the room and get inside your soul. No pity. No fear. No regrets. They present themselves as bold and beautiful people who may, because of something over which they had no control, look or act differently.

And in the process, we learn more about the wold of disability in a series of innovative pieces about transportation, employment, communication, societal attitudes, architectural accessibility, sexuality, and even dance. Through the vehicle of humor, adults and children alike learn that everyone deserves respect -- and these performers are amazing.

The charming human-ness of That Uppity Theatre Company is available to perform for you, your school, your company or your place of worship To learn more about the DisAbility Project, please see their website at ...

www.DisAbilityProject.com or call 314-534-1454

That Uppity Theatre Company is one of the 78 groups supported with a grant from The Arts & Education Council. The contributions made to A&E help change the way we live and work. It builds a strong community and touches us in unforgettable ways.