Imagine being treated and viewed as a burden on the medical system. It's time to widen our perception of disability.
Isabel Stankiewicz is the creator, performer and writer of Necklace. They are an emerging artist working to premiere this new work in 2022.
Tell us about the show in 100 words or less
Necklace is an intimate, autobiographical and participatory performance exploring the experience of being treated and viewed as a burden on the medical system whilst bringing to light the joys, struggles and triumphs from diagnosis to acceptance. At turns funny and gutting, this story reminds us to be adventurers, always searching for the treasure within ourselves and others. The work in progress showing will surprise and delight you and widen critical conversations about our perceptions of disability.
This image: Isabel is holding the hand of an audience member; you can see other audience members in the background experiencing the first iteration of Necklace.
Cover image: Isabel holding the card that sparked the creation of this original work. Both images: Lisa Businovski
Anywhere Festival takes place anywhere but a theatre. Tell us about your venue. What is it about your space that adds to your audience experience?
The venue is Farrier Bar, 164 Arthur St Fortitude Valley. Conceptually I love that it is a historical space- it was a stable where patrons tethered their horse in the 19th century when journeying to the Queens Arms Hotel. Necklace is also a historical journey about me, and how I arrived at creating this work in progress showing so I am looking forwards to leveraging and tapping into the memories of the sandstone bricks. Aesthetically I was immediately drawn to the bar’s door, darkness and nooks and crannies. Creating lots of opportunity for a striking beginning, moving with the audience, and playing with light and dark.
What is your creative process like?
Necklace is my first original creation, so I am enjoying discovering my creative process. I like the idea of combining theatre-based practices with community development practices, working collaboratively with the audience towards social justice outcomes.
This photo was taken at the performance-making retreat with Ladyfinger where Isabel created the first iteration of Necklace in a sauna. Image: Lisa Businovski
Tell us your origin story. How did your show start?
Finishing my Master in Development Practice majoring in Community Development, I gifted myself a performance-making retreat on transforming life experiences with Ladyfinger. I was asked to bring an object. I took the business card of the Professor who diagnosed me with Distal Arthrogryposis Type II at 13. He’d scribbled these words on the back of it. Growing up, I spent hours staring at them, wondering what they meant. At the retreat, I began articulating this through the making of Necklace. Julie and Dawn, directors of Ladyfinger, encouraged me to delve into the darkness and treasures of my story. So here I am at Anywhere Festival with two work in progress showings, intended to gain audience and industry feedback before moving into a final creative development phase in the second half of 2021.
Who is your perfect audience member? Who is going to LOVE this event?
Necklace is a story for everyone, and I look forwards to weaving in more inclusive performance practices prior to a 2022 premiere. Currently, the perfect audience member understands this, that I’m still in creative development. People who will love this event enjoy giving generous feedback around what is working well and what more they would like to see, it is the experience of seeing the bones of a new and emerging work.
Is there anything else we simply MUST know about the show?
Tickets are $15 and there are only a couple left, so get in quick. I look forwards to meeting you and thank you for your interest in Necklace.
Necklace takes place as part of Anywhere Festival on the 22nd May at 5.30pm and 7.00pm at Farrier Bar, Fortitude Valley.
