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Backstage with Denver's Physically Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League
At a Colorado production of The Elephant Man staged earlier this year, Edward Blackshere stood on stage, looked out over the audience and, with a hitch in his voice, said, "I ask you, please, not to despise or condemn this man on account of his u nusual appearance. Remember, we do not make ourselves." Blackshere was not only framing the plight of the play's title character, but ensuring his audience couldn't ignore what made this particular cast unique. The production was by the Physically Handicapped Actors and Musical Artists League (more commonly referred to as PHAMALy), an award-winning Denver-based theatre company whose ensemble is made up entirely of disabled actors. Company veteran Blackshere, who developed arthritis as an infant and has grown to just 4 feet, 10 inches tall doesn't pretend to "lose" his disability when he goes on stage, but instead, like every PHAMALy member, brings his unique perspective to every character he plays. When he laments "we do not make ourselves," it's clear this statement could apply to every member of the ensemble.
PHAMALy was formed in 1989 by several disabled Denver-area actors who found most traditional casting avenues closed to them. The group has since mounted dozens of productions, securing packed houses, rave reviews and copious awards. While some advocacy performance groups de-emphasize disability on stage, Artistic Director Steve Wilson does the opposite, encouraging every actor to explore how their disability could inform their character. The results, according to actress Briana Berthiaume, have ranged from "funny to poignant to just really cool," but, as Wilson is quick to add, any new interpretation is designed to help flesh out a script, and never "change the meaning or sit on top of it like some gimmick." It's this script-first process that, according to Associate Artistic Director Bryce Alexander, allows the troupe to "not just do quality theatre 'for a disabled company,' but do quality theatre, period." While PHAMALy's approach may be rare, Wilson hopes to change that. In addition to providing in-house performance opportunities, PHAMALy's mission includes encouraging the casting of disabled actors throughout professional theatre, and offering consultation to help other groups become more accessible to disabled audiences and actors.
Portraying Disability