Touchstone Volume 26 1706_Touchstone_Winter_Web Version | Page 11

inclusion
n of people with disabilities
CPL’s Screech Arts is Queensland’s own
fully accessible and inclusive creative arts
and drama program that sets the stage for
performers to enter the industry.
Screech Arts builds self-confidence,
self-expression, and social skills, while
developing storytelling, improvisation,
acting, leadership and teamwork skills.
Martina Cross, CPL’s Screech Arts
Coordinator, explained why inclusive arts
form an important part of our culture and
society in general.
“
The arts are typically used as a
metaphorical ‘mirror’ being held
up on society. It’s about reality, raw
emotions, stories, imaginations, and
having your voice heard.
”
“We’re about pulling back the mask to
show what’s real and we have always
strived to show our performers for their
talents, not their disability.
“We need to celebrate people for who they
are, who they want to be, and how they
want to be represented.
“If the reason that we are hesitating is
because we ‘haven’t done it before’,
that’s when we need to stop and say
‘why?’”Martina explained.
Screech Arts has set the stage
for inclusive arts programs for
over 10 years, offering drama,
acting, dance, film, music, singing,
production and more for people
of all ages! To find out more,
contact 1800 275 753 or visit
www.screecharts.org.au now!
Touchstone Winter 2017
11