Ara Learning Disabled Theatre researcher back on world stage

_{Tony McCaffrey (right) speaking in Nafplio, Greece with translator Dr Athina Stourna.}

Dr Tony McCaffrey, Ara Institute of Canterbury National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) senior lecturer and arts researcher has taken his expertise in learning disabled theatre to the world stage once again.

McCaffrey was invited to speak about the meaning of research and development in learning disabled theatre in Greece last month - a repeat invitation from the University of the Peloponnese after presenting at Performing Space, a conference in Nafplio in July.

His topic ‘What might research, and development mean for learning disabled theatre?’ drew attention from Peloponnese media before he headed to Barcelona to deliver a conference paper at the Institute for the Arts in Sitges.

“The trip to Spain built on my relationship with EASTAP (The European Association for the Study of Theatre and Performance). The topic I explored this time was ‘The EcoSystems of International Collaboration in Learning Disabled Theatre’,” McCaffrey said.

It's been a year since McCaffrey’s Ōtautahi based Learning Disabled Theatre company Different Light collaborated with Ara NASDA students on Faust.Us - a stunning and memorable adaptation of Marlowe’s Elizabethan Faustus.

The unique and ambitious project, devised by the cast, canvassed selling your soul to the devil in our era of climate emergency and investigated what we mean by ‘us’ in theatre and in life.

An article about the project is due out soon in a special issue of the Australasian Drama Studies publication Aroha Atu Aroha Mai.

"I’m excited to see the article which is titled ‘Performing Compassion/ Performing Aroha in Learning Disabled Theatre’, McCaffrey said.

2024 has proven to be another a busy year for McCaffrey and Different Light, who have worked together for 20 years.

The company has been interviewed for a chapter in Hilary Halba’s book “Acting in Aotearoa”, and a video involving Different Light actors is set to appear online in the journal “Performance Philosophy.”

Meantime the company continues to explore ancient Greek tragedy with every chance a performance in Greece could be in the wings.

“While in Greece I continued to work on plans to organise a Festival of Learning-Disabled Theatre in Greece the summer of 2026. The vision is for Different Light as well as learning disabled theatre companies from Greece, Poland, Belgium, Wales and England to attend,” McCaffrey said.

To round off 2024, another significant publication co-edited by McCaffrey, along with scholars and practitioners from Norway and Zimbabwe, will also become available. Theatre and Performing Arts, Disability Citizenship and Community Development - Perspectives from the Global South and North will be open access online for free. It contains contributions from Scandinavia, Brazil, Russia, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and New Zealand and will be launched in Trondheim, Norway on December 16.

Tony McCaffrey is co-editing and contributing chapters to several other titles due out soon spanning wellbeing, politics and performance in learning disabled theatre.

Fresh reviews are still being shared on his work co-written by Different Light company actors titled Giving and Taking Voice in Learning Disabled Theatre which came out in 2023.

Describing it as a “must-read for politicians”, Victoria University’s David O'Donnell said “this book offers inspiring perspectives on what a ‘good life’ could look like for persons with learning disabilities, what they have to offer to society at large, and the role that theatre and performing arts can play in making this a reality.”