MEDIA RELEASE DRAFT Friday 23 July 2010

Watsonia Library Hosts Innovative Theatre by People with a Disability

Performers with an intellectual disability will present an innovative theatrical and musical piece
at Watsonia Library in August as part of the Winter in Banyule arts festival.
The DVA Theatre Group performers will utilise the many interesting spaces in the library to
explore issues of access and language for people with an intellectual disability. An interactive
installation project, Tall Words is a unique collaboration of performance, text, sound, live music
and lighting.
DVA Artistic Director Sandra Fiona Long said DVA aims to dissolve prejudices towards those
with intellectual disability through its public performances. “The performances encourage
audience participation and visibility of people with intellectual disability in public spaces,” she
said.
Based in the City of Banyule, DVA Theatre Company has been an established community
theatre company for over 20 years. It is a company of adult performers with intellectual
disability, who work alongside volunteer facilitators and a professional artistic director.
Tall Words is performed in collaboration with professional musicians (cello and percussion), a
sound artist/engineer, lighting designer and visual designer, and is directed by Sandra Fiona
Long.
Acting Reading and Literacy Coordinator Blaise van Hecke said the library is excited about
being involved with such a ground-breaking performance. “It is an unusual partnership that will
provide a new and interesting perspective on the library,” she said.
YPRL chairperson Cr. Lewis Brock agrees. “The library was really keen to be involved in this
positive performance, especially with the recent development of our disability action plan,” he
said.
The evening performances will take place at the Watsonia Library as part of the Winter in
Banyule Festival on Friday 13 August, Saturday 14 August and Sunday 15 August between
5.00pm and 6.00pm.
There will also be an open discussion forum held at Watsonia Library on August 20 at 2.00pm
with artists, participants, library staff and the public.
The project is supported by Arts Victoria, the City of Banyule and the Watsonia RSL Trust. More
information about DVA Theatre Group and the performance can be found at
www.dvatheatre.com.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
• A photograph of the group at one of their Monday evening rehearsals at the Watsonia
Library. (Other photo shoot times can be arranged). Rehearsal photographs are also
available for publication.
• DVA Artistic Director Sandra Fiona Long is available for interview.
• Acting Reading and Literacy Coordinator Blaise van Hecke is available for interview.
-ENDS-
For further information:
Suzanne Male
Marketing & Media Coordinator
Yarra Plenty Regional Library
Phone: 9401 0755
Email: smale@yprl.vic.gov.au