Broadway—A little bit more inclusive

As I watched the Tony Awards on Sunday night, I was overwhelmed with excitement to see a wonderful young woman in a wheelchair captivate the audience as she sang a song from the musical “Oklahoma”. As the musical number continued, I smiled as I saw the set was designed to allow the actress in the wheelchair to move through the scene.

When the award for best female in a featured role in a musical was announced, Ali Stroker, the woman in the wheelchair, won! I was filled with much delight. I hope Ms. Stroker’s win signals a change in Broadway and theater productions.

I have frequented the theater in the past and know there are very few roles which require a person to be in a wheelchair. The wheelchair roles are often tiny parts which come and go in the blink of an eye. Moreover, being cast in a regular role, being in a wheelchair, is next to impossible. Many sets have uneven surfaces and stairs. Even the most athletic actors often have to be extremely careful on the stage as trap doors and narrow spaces make the theater an obstacle course. Additionally, most theaters are old and do not have dressing rooms on the same level as the stage. An actor often has to hike up and down stairs during the production in order to change costumes.

I used to be in theater productions on a regular basis. When my health declined requiring me I to use a wheelchair, I was devastated that people would not accommodate my needs. If the only way to access the stage was via stairs, I was told I could not participate. Management would often refuse to spend any extra money to make the stage wheelchair accessible. Additionally, I was also told being in a wheelchair on stage was a liability issue. The production had to take out more insurance if I was to appear on stage. Henceforth, it was much cheaper (and safer in the eyes of the director) for me to remain offstage and watch from the audience. I have tried to not let these instances scar me, but I am often left wondering why there is still so much discrimination in this world.

When I saw Ali Stroker win the Tony Award, I rejoiced that at least one corner of this world is attempting to allow ALL people to live out their dreams. Broadway has started making accommodations to create theaters which are more accessible to people with disabilities. Ms. Stroker is the first person in a wheelchair to ever appear on Broadway, and now she is also the first person in a wheelchair to ever win a Tony Award. She has worked for most of her life to get where she is. I pray that all her hard work will continue to pave the way for more and more folks with physical limitations to capture their dreams and turn Broadway into a true mosaic of American culture.