Regional News
21 Oct 2024
Link to Regional News write up on DAT Fest. Article is in the bottom left of the page with a mid shot of Susan. Susan is wearing their awesome glasses and a stripey coloured shirt. The article text reads:
In 2022, the Disabled Artists Festival of Theatre
entered stage right, making its grand exit arm in arm
with a Wellington Theatre Award for social change. DAFT
returned in 2023, delighting audiences anew. Now, the
festival returns bigger, brighter, and more accessible
than ever before as DAT Fest.
Showcasing Wellington based d/Deaf, neurodivergent,
and disabled (DND) performing artists, writers, and
filmmakers, DAT Fest will take over Te Auaha’s fourth
floor for two weeks from the 2nd to the 17th of November.
This means there will be multiple spaces for workshops,
classes, rehearsals, and even hanging out and chilling
– co-director Kate Spencer has already earmarked a
room for a low-sensory quiet zone.
The kaupapa of DAT Fest is making sure every person
possible can enjoy the events, co-director Susan
Williams [pictured] says. Every year, the festival
ensures that celebrating and recognising the identity,
community, and work of DND artists and audiences in
the performing arts in Wellington remains front of mind.
This principle rings true in 2024 too, with all kinds of
inclusive and accessible events to look forward to.
Starting with a launch and lunch on the 2nd, the DAT
Fest in-person and online programme includes a poetry
session on the 3rd, a comedy night on the 7th, a jazz
evening on the 8th, a whānau-friendly day on the 9th, a
sexy cabaret brunch on the 10th, Science for Sociopaths
on the 15th, and the closing event DAT’s All, Folks on the
17th. This is just the start, so get hyped for the one and
only DAT Fest.