Graeae: A force for change in world-class theatre
Vision
We will create world-class accessible theatre, which breaks down barriers, challenges preconceptions and places D/deaf and disabled artists centre stage.
Mission
Graeae’s mission is to ignite artistic curiosity, pioneer a radical dramatic language, champion accessibility and provide a platform and opportunities for new generations of Deaf and disabled artists, locally, nationally and internationally, through the creation of trail-blazing theatre.
Values
Graeae is a disabled-led company, founded on the need to tackle social injustice, discrimination and exclusion. It is fuelled by the pursuit of inclusion and artistic excellence and champions D/deaf and disabled people in the arts.
Our History
Graeae was founded in 1980 by Nabil Shaban and Richard Tomlinson. Their shared vision was to dispel images of defencelessness, together with prejudices and popular myths, around disabled people... through theatre, workshops and training.
By May 1980, a company of disabled performers was established to perform the first ever Graeae play Sideshow.
Since then, Graeae has achieved an international reputation as a pioneer of accessibility in world-class theatre, with the original impetus of its founders still at its very core. Nabil Shaban remains a patron of the company.
Background
Artistically led by Jenny Sealey MBE, Graeae’s signature characteristic is the compelling creative integration of sign language and audio description, which engages with both disabled and non-disabled audiences. Championing accessibility and providing a platform for new generations of artists, Graeae leads the way in pioneering, trail-blazing theatre.
Graeae's core activities can be categorised into 6 main sections:
a. Create world-class theatre: produce and tour high quality, high impact theatre that is unmistakably Graeae’s, providing a platform for the skill, vision and excellence of Deaf and disabled artists.
b. Find new audiences: for Graeae and for the wider industry. Ensure the work has a lasting impact across England, unleashing creativity in regions and communities, working with groups that have little access to art and culture and on a variety of platforms.
c. Champion accessibility: through partnerships with the wider theatre sector on national and international platforms creating, operating, supporting and advising on accessible environments and practice.
d. Nurture talent: work with national partners to open up the arts for Deaf and disabled artists at all experience levels. Create new environments for theatre-makers to thrive and build independence.
e. Promote excellent governance and leadership across the company, the theatre sector and other businesses.
f. Explore new creative horizons: by developing the methods we use to tell our stories and representing a greater diversity of voices on stage. This will be achieved through true partnership working and exchange of ideas.
