Image: The Ruckus Team. Photo via indiegogo.com.
Disability is such a strange word, for it defines people by what they aren’t. Where else do you hear of people being described in terms of what they cannot do? But for members of the Sydney based theatre ensemble RUCKUS, the word ‘cannot’ is simply not part of the vocabulary. The six-member group comprises an extraordinary array of performing talents and abilities, including a gold medal gymnast, a Tropfest winner, slapstick comedian and a number of award-winning stage and screen actors.
Currently hosted by PACT centre for emerging artists in Erskineville, RUCKUS have begun workshopping their next major production, Speed of Life, which is scheduled for May 2016. The final stage of production should take them on exchange to visit Epic Encounters, a similar inclusive arts centre in Kampot, Cambodia. To make this dream a reality, they have embarked on an ambitious crowd-funding campaign. Creative director, Alison Richardson is optimistic but under no illusion as to the financial challenges. “There is so much pressure on funding for the Arts in Sydney and we are no different,” said Richardson. “That’s why we have turned to this crowd-funding initiative”.
The desire to change the attitude of hearts and minds towards disability is at the forefront of their art form. Travelling widely and running theatrical workshops is central to this process. “It’s all about what we do,” explained Audrey O’Connor––actor, dancer and filmmaker. “We show people what we dream and help them with their dreams.”
Breaking down the barriers of exclusion is not easy, but RUCKUS is making plenty of noise. (GW)
Details of the RUCKUS crowd funding campaign can be accessed at ruckus.org.au/donate.
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