Access Ideas and Insights: The Neurodiversity Paradigm in Theatre

Come to Bell Shakespeare or join online for our upcoming Access Ideas and Insights panel exploring The Neurodiversity Paradigm in Theatre.

Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation about how neurodivergent perspectives are reshaping theatre practices, processes and storytelling.

Learn from Jules Orcullo (Playwright, Songwriter, Dramaturg and Resident Artist at Sydney Theatre Company), Ryan Enniss (award-winning Playwright and Actor) and Kylie Heart (Founder and Creative Producer of Midnight Feast). This event will be MC'd by Joanna Erskin (Head of Education at Bell Shakespeare).

Thursday 15 May

3pm – 4.15pm
1-hour panel conversation, followed by a 15-minute Q&A (in person and online)

4.15pm – 5pm
Networking and light refreshments (in person only)

Join in person

Bell Shakespeare – The Seed
Pier 2/3, Walsh Bay

The entrance The Seed is located midway down Pier 2/3 located at 13A Hickson Road, Dawes Point. It is located on Level 1 and is accessible by both stairs or a lift.

Join online

Register to join online and a link will be emailed to you upon registration.

Access

This wheelchair accessible event will be Auslan interpreted and captioned.

The in-person event at Bell Shakespeare will be open captioned. The online event will be closed captioned.

The accessible hybrid platform for this event is being managed by Livecrowd.

About the Speakers

Jules Orcullo - Playwright, Songwriter, Dramaturg and Resident Artist

Jules Orcullo (she/they) is a playwright, songwriter, and dramaturg. She currently works as Dramaturg at Sydney Theatre Company where she co-facilitates the Watershed Writers program. She won the Griffin Award for her play 'My Dad Never Saw The Beatles' and her debut musical 'Forgetting Tim Minchin' was nominated for an AWGIE Award and Time Out Award for Best Musical. She a current participant of Invention Studios’ Australian Comedy Incubator for emerging screenwriters. She mentors artists via Curious Works and Australian Plays Transform, has held education roles at NIDA, Belvoir, and ATYP, and producing roles at ILBIJERRI Theatre Company, Belvoir, Co-Curious, and Contemporary Asian Australian Performance. She is an alumna of writing programs at APRA AMCOS, Hayes Theatre, Contemporary Asian Australian Performance, AFTRS, Playwriting Australia, ATYP, The Royal Court, Soho Theatre, and the Lyric Hammersmith. Jules is a proud founding member of Kallective, developing works for the Filipinx diaspora.

Ryan Enniss - Playwright and Actor

Ryan graduated with a Bachelor of Contemporary Art (Theatre) from the University of Tasmania in 2018, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in 2021. Ryan won the Community Theatre Judges Award’ at the 2018 Tasmanian Theatre Awards for his play 'Watching'. His play 'Drizzle Boy' won the 2022 – 2023 Queensland Premier's Drama Award, and was the first mainstage show in Australian history to feature an autistic lead, as well as be written by an autistic playwright. It was also nominated for several awards at the 2023 Matilda Awards including Best Mainstage Production, and the Lord Mayor’s Award for Best New Australian Work. 'Drizzle Boy' was published by Currency Press early in 2024, and had a regional tour with Queensland Theatre later that year. Ryan was awarded the ‘Writer’s Space Fellowship’ at Varuna, the national writer’s house in 2024 for his play 'Minutes to Midnight'. Diagnosed as autistic at the age of 19, and with a chronic illness at the age of 24, he is keenly interested in telling stories from the perspective of neurodivergent and chronically ill people. He currently works as a voice-over artist, a playwright, and an actor based on the lands of the Bidjigal and Gadigal people of the Eora nation.

Kylie Heart - Founder and Creative Producer of Midnight Feast

Kylie Heart, the company's founder and creative producer, is the driving force behind Midnight Feast's innovative approach to inclusivity. Kylie graduated from Actors Centre Australia and is a passionate advocate for artists of all abilities. She has a Masters of Fine Arts from the Cultural Leadership program at NIDA.

In 2018, Kylie was awarded the prestigious AMP Tomorrow Maker Award, as a recognition of her dedication to inclusion advocacy. This award not only reflects the impact of Midnight Feast, but also Kylie's extensive experience as a performing arts professional. With over 26 years of experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from her roles as a singer, actor, director, writer, and producer.

Joanna Erskine - Head of Education, Bell Shakespeare (MC)

Joanna Erskine (she/her) is an award-winning playwright, producer, speaker, teacher and arts education specialist. Joanna is the Head of Education at Bell Shakespeare, working with the company for 17+ years overseeing artistic direction and delivery of its renowned national education program.

A graduate of NIDA, she is a two-time winner of the Silver Gull Play Award, winner of Sydney Theatre Company Young Playwrights Award and Lysicrates Prize finalist. Joanna is the founder and director of Storytellers Festival, a showcase and celebration of unproduced Australian writing, held at Kings Cross Theatre (KXT). In 2023 Joanna was awarded the Lloyd Martin Travelling Scholarship for Emerging Arts Leaders, administered by Sydney Opera House. In 2025, Joanna will be a resident writer at Griffin Theatre Company through Griffin Studio.

Accessible Arts is proudly supported by Create NSW and this Hybrid Event Series has been made possible with support from the City of Sydney, Bell Shakespeare and Livecrowd.

ENDS

Image Description: White text on a black background reads: Hybrid Event Series, The Future Of Disability Storytelling. A swirling pink, purple and blue graphic appears on the right and the Accessible Arts, NSW Government, City of Sydney and Bell Shakespeare logos are on the bottom left corner.

Access Ideas and Insights: The Neurodiversity Paradigm in Theatre

Choose your tickets

In person - Bell Shakespeare/The Seed ticket

Online ticket

Donations

Help us continue these events: $10 suggested