UnMasked:
Neurodiversity and Performance

Many neurodivergent people create and perform. It could be our over-active minds, a need to carve out our own niche in the world, or a need to express ourselves in a world that doesn’t get us. Or maybe we seek creative outlets in the same way neurotypical people do. Through acting, performance, writing and music, neurodivergent people are making themselves known.

Join us with autistic academic Dr Amy Skinner and multidisciplinary artist The Mollusc Dimension, discussing their creative practice with an ND host. This event is for the ND people who are expressing themselves, wish to start expressing themselves and want to understand how to and where the parameters are (and aren’t). It is also for anyone, ND or not, seeking to understand people, performance and creativity and how is can liberate and consol those of us who are different.

Amy Skinner is an autistic academic committed to neurodiversity research and advocacy, both in her own work and in higher education. Her academic background is in theatre and performance, where she has published research in scenography, theatre history, and cross-cultural performance. Her book, Theatre and Neurodiversity, explores the social, political, and creative histories of neurodivergent theatre-makers, and looks to the future of theatre making, highlighting the importance of neurodiversity-affirming creative practices.
 

The Mollusc Dimension is a British-Chinese, trans, queer, neurodivergent multidisciplinary artist. His colourful graphic memoir The Weird & Wonderful Surviveries of Squid Horse was shortlisted by The Selfies Book Awards for non-fiction. He has received two project grants from Arts Council England for the latter and also for his music video Asians Have Feelings Too which received the “Favourite Award” at the Trans Pride Brighton Film Festival. The Mollusc Dimension’s art and writing appears or is forthcoming in: Aghh! Zine, Butch Bait, Covert, Queer Out Here, t’ART, Wasafiri, Wrong Directions and others.

Age Recommendation:

16+

Price:

*A £2 venue levy is applied to each ticket purchased. This levy helps to support us in covering the costs of keeping our grade II listed building running and our doors open.*

In advance: • Supporter £15 • Standard £10 • Living Support £6 • Student £7     (+ £2 venue levy)
On the Door: • Supporter £16 • Standard £11 • Living Support £7 • Student £8  (+ £2 venue levy)
Online: • Standard £7   (+ £2 venue levy)

Access Information:

This event is in the Brockway Room, which is located on the ground floor. The talk will also be livestreamed.

All the ground-floor rooms are fully accessible by wheelchair. Main Hall (street access, step-free), Brockway Room (street access, step-free), Russell Room (street access, shallow ramp), Cafe (street access, step-free). There is also an accessible toilet on the ground floor opposite the Brockway Room.