Making a difference in the community for people with disabilities Based in London UK, Graeae exists to cultivate, champion and develop the talent of Deaf and disabled artists. We do this through creating work (both in theatres across the UK, internationally and online) with Deaf and disabled artists both on-stge and behind the scenes, as well through our extensive creative learning activity, with trains and develops the talent of young and mid-career Deaf and disabled actors, writers and theatre makers. All our touring work incorporates the “aethetics of access”, which means the creative use of British Sign Language, audio description and captioning incorporated into the fabric of the production. This not only ensures our work is fully accessible for a Deaf or disabled audience, but it also creatively engages and helps educate non-disabled audiences.

Inspiration behind Graeae Graeae was founded in 1980 by two disabled actors, Nabil Shaban and Richard Tomlinson, who were tired of being rejected for work because they were disabled. Run by Deaf director Jenny Sealey since 1997, Graeae still exists to cultivate and champion the work of Deaf and disabled artists, who still, sadly, don’t have equal rights when it comes to casting or employment in the theatre and film industries. We’re bored, tired and fed-up with non-disabled actors pretending to be disabled, and telling our stories! Only when there is a TRULY equal playing field, and we’re given equal opportunities, will we be happy!

Who can benefit from Graeae Deaf or disabled artists, and audiences whether Deaf, disabled, hearing or non-disabled who want to see, hear or experience brilliant theatre!

Our message  If you’re a Deaf or disabled artist, theatre maker or audience member, don’t give up until there’s an equal playing field. To find out more about our work, visit www.graeae.org or follow on Twitter at @graeae. More about our 40 year history can also be found in our book, Reasons to be Graeae, available to purchase at https://graeae.org/r2bgraeae/