5 – 6 PM Explore New Works with the Disabled Artist Leaders
Ben Levine
Ben Levine (he/they) is a multidisciplinary artist working in dance, theater, and installation. He is currently the Director of Production at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, DC. In 2019 he established Extreme Lengths Productions, a non-profit arts collaborative devoted to creating technology-driven, movement-based, unconventional performance experiences. Named “Best Up-For-Anything Technical Director” by the Washington City Paper, Ben works as a theater technician and carpenter, as well as a lighting, scenic, and projection designer for dance and theater. Born with Erbs palsy, he is passionate about the disability arts. He holds degrees in Theater Arts and Mathematics from Drew University.
Suzanne Richard
Suzanne Richard (she/her) is the Artistic Director of Open Circle Theatre (OCT) and a fierce advocate for people with disabilities in the arts. With OCT she received a Helen Hayes nomination for Outstanding Direction and Outstanding Production of a Resident Musical for Jesus Christ Superstar. She currently works as a professional actress, dancer, and advocate in the DC area with such companies as The Folger, Fords Theatre, Washington Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Imagination Stage, Dance Exchange, and 1st Stage. She has also worked as the Accessibility Specialist in the Office of Accessibility at the National Endowment for the Arts and the Outreach Coordinator for the U.S. International Council on Disabilities. She serves on the Board and is a Master Teaching Artist with Story Tapestries Along with frequently speaking on disability issues, she authored the chapter “Dealing with Being Different” for Growing Up with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, along with chapters in various books on arts and disabilities.
Lis Sniderman
Lis Sniderman is an artist and playwright known by her artist name, Aoede. As a disabled artist, Sniderman creates-and often centers characters with illnesses-to express, foster healing, elevate, empower and advocate for people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. She’s been honored with 100+ awards and accolades for songwriting, albums, films, stage plays, spoken word, books, all while battling a rare, disabling autoimmune disease for 16 years. Says Sniderman, “Music and art are my lifelines; I just cannot stop creating.” She kept so busy creating, Sniderman admits she forgot to grieve her illness. She has also been homebound many years, missing live theater, and had a vision of bringing live theater to those like her through filmed stage performances, which sparked “The Grieving Project” audiobook. She’s adapting this audiobook to a stage musical to bring live theatrical experiences to chronically ill and disabled communities.
Jessica Wallach
Jessica Wallach is our accessibility manager for the Open Doors Festival and Story Tapestries and works closely with Open Circle Theatre. Her focus is on art, accessibility and disasters and how to make space a love letter to the body. Her current art project is called The Body is Good. She is the Accessibility Director for The Grieving Project and has consulted on other theatrical pieces both as a coordinator and a dramatargue. She brings over three decades of experience in accessibility work, specializing in art, coordination, and compliance. Jessica’s professional journey includes a key role with the U.S. Department of Justice and has a masters in city and regional planning from Cornell University.