Registrations open for comedy and poetry workshops
In celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, CCS Disability Action is thrilled to bring two accessible comedy and poetry workshops to Wellington this month.
Created by advocate and comedian Nathan Bond and poet, performer and producer Creatif Kate, the workshops will be held at Kōraunui Stokes Valley Neighbourhood Hub on the 25th, and Pātaka Art + Museum on the 29th of November. Anyone aged 18+ who is interested in learning how to perform comedy and poetry in an inclusive environment is encouraged to register – no experience needed!
Participants will learn the basics of comedy and poetry, have a chance to practise and receive feedback. To finish, they’ll have a chance to experience these skills in practice with a showcase of performances by local disabled artists.
It’s important to Kate that everything she’s involved in is as accessible as possible, being disabled and queer herself. “I’ve always loved poetry and want to share that love with everyone,” she says.
Kate has won several awards in the Wellington comedy scene after she ‘fell into’ comedy at a workshop, most recently winning the Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian Award 2023 for her work in the arts, disability and the queer community. Kate’s involvement in the workshops will provide much-needed representation for aspiring disabled and queer artists.
Nathan Bond has been a disability advocate for 23 years and began performing stand-up comedy five years ago. He produced the Disability Pride Showcase in 2019 and has won multiple comedy competitions since. A lack of accessibility in the arts scene sparked the idea for these workshops.
“I found doing comedy greatly boosted my self-esteem and highlighted how unfair and absurd ableist practices are,” he says. Disabled peoples’ ability to do this lags other subsections of society due to access barriers faced by large sections of the disability community.”
Choosing accessible venues was key in the planning process, as was having NZSL interpreters present. “By addressing those barriers, we hope that other disabled people will be empowered to share their stories and transform social attitudes for the better.”
CCS Disability Action acknowledges Arts Access Aotearoa as the funder – these workshops would not be possible without their support.
Lower Hutt workshop
When: Monday 25 November 2024
10am to 3pm
Where: Kōraunui Stokes Valley Neighbourhood Hub
184 Stokes Valley Road
Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt 5019
Porirua workshop
When: Friday 29 November 2024
10am to 3pm
Where: Pātaka Art + Museum
17 Parumoana Street
Porirua City Centre, Porirua 5022
NZSL interpreters will be present and both venues have accessible toilets.
Register
You can register by filling out the form: bit.ly/comedy-poetry-workshops
If you have any questions or need support to complete the
registration form, please contact: Nathan.Bond@ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz
18+. Limited spaces available, please register by 9pm Sunday 17 November. Confirmation of places will be sent out by 18 November.