In 2000, James Sanders — an actor who became quadriplegic in 1990 — and Trevor Found created the Realwheels Ad Hoc Collective, which would eventually break out into Realwheels Theatre.[1] They began by producing plays without a disability centred story.[1]
After the success of these productions, Sanders, in 2003, founded and incorporated Realwheels Theatre as a registered non-profit.[1] Sanders has described Realwheels' mandate as being to promote "a deeper understanding of the disability experience."[2] James Sanders held the Artistic Director position until 2014 when Managing Director, Rena Cohen, assumed both roles.[3] In 2021, Realwheels, welcomed Tomas Mureika into the Artistic Director role.[3]
Realwheels' first major production since its founding was Skydive in 2007, which Sanders commissioned from playwright Kevin Kerr and starred in alongside actor Bob Frazer.[1] It won the 2007 CITT/ICTS Award of Technical Merit.[4] In 2010, Realwheels worked with Kerr again, co-producing Spine, a play commissioned by the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad.[5]
In 2019, Realwheels announced that Kirsten Kirsch would be its inaugural playwright-in-residence, with her residency beginning in 2020.[6] In 2020 and 2021, Realwheels adapted their in-person theatre approach to include virtual community performances. In May 2021 Wheel Voices: Tune In! premiered with a virtual cast.[7]
The Realwheels Acting Academy was established in 2021, inviting its first cohort of students for September 2021.[8] The program is designed for people with disabilities. Supported and created in part by disability community members, the Realwheels Acting Academy aims to increase the direct participation of people with disabilities in the cultural landscape and make systemic change.[9]
In 2023, Realwheels celebrated their 20th anniversary. The 20th anniversary season included Saturday Night At Axles, a piece commissioned from the company's new artistic associate Adam Grant Warren, Faye’s Room by Alex Masse, Vascular Necrosis by Jordyn Wood, and the radio playDisability Tour Bus.[10][11]
Production history
Community productions
Realwheels community performances include any artist that self identifies as living with disability who wants to be involved.[12]
^ ab"Jessies celebrate local theatre; Deep Talent pool: With 70 eligible productions, judges had lots of people to reward". The Vancouver Province. 2014-06-24. p. C2.
^ abMorton, Brian (2014-05-21). "Bard on the Beach festival grabs 15 Jessie nods". Vancouver Sun. p. C1.
