Edinburgh has it’s Fringe Festival and so does our own Aussie City of Festivals – Adelaide, South Australia. This Fringe Festival promises something really unique and to find out about it I interviewed Aspie colleague, Katharine Annear , an ASD Advisor with Spectrum Advisory Services
who works for Autism SA.

DONNA:
Hi Katharine. Welcome to my blog and the collection of interviews on it.
You have the Adelaide Fringe Festival coming up.
For the unintiated, what is a Fringe Festival?
Do we all have to show up wearing fringes?

KATHARINE:
You don’t have to wear a fringe; in fact hair is not necessary at all for those who don’t have it!! The Adelaide Fringe Festival is so named because it arose on the ‘fringes’ of The Adelaide Festival of Arts. The Fringe is a festival that is more accessible to a range of artists and audiences and is not restricted by art-form or venue where as the Adelaide Festival has tended to be an event with high production values and ticket prices to reflect this. The Adelaide Fringe has now become an annual event reflecting its success with Adelaide and visitors.

DONNA:
Cool, so people can think Edinburgh and come to Adelaide 🙂
Now tell me about Adelaide. What’s cool about a place known as ‘The City of Churches’, really?

KATHARINE:
Adelaide is well planned and easy to get around the city centre is planned on a grid so it is hard to get lost there. Adelaide has great beaches and hills adventures both within 20 minutes drive of the city centre. The Adelaide Central Markets are a great place to visit for food – eating in China Town or buying your organic veggies for home. There are some great walks around the city, plenty of outdoor sculpture and public art.

DONNA:
OK, I’m on my way 😉
Now at this current Fringe Festival, you’re involved with a couple of performance groups who I’ve had the privilege of seeing perform there.
I loved it, they had me in tears and chuckles.
What do you think is such an unmissible opportunity here for people coming to the Fringe Festival?

KATHARINE:
The E_move and ASPIE LIVE show is performed by Australia’s only Autistic Theatre Group. The Ensemble of 13 people on the Autism Spectrum is Managed and Directed by people on the Spectrum. The show confronts the stereotypes that still persist around autism. You will experience Autism through the actions and words of people on the spectrum and like Donna you may just laugh and cry with the people performing. The performance experience is transformative for this Ensemble and can be equally transformative for the audience.

DONNA:
I can certainly vouch for that word, transformative. And its not because those performing have disabilities. For me, its the striking REALNESS and HONESTY with which these folks perform. It’s total beingness, and that’s so refreshing because most performers have this aura where they are aware of how they’re appearing. But most of the auties performing, you don’t sense that. It’s an awesome thing, when as an audience member you are face to face with that. You really feel the gift of what their performance is offering you. But sorry, I rant. What do you think it means to the performers of E-move and Aspie Live to have an audience come to see them?

KATHARINE:
There is never a performance without an audience. The Audience is an integral part of the theatre experience. By seeing this show audience members are showing their willingness to cross a divide, to go on a journey, and to validate the performer’s lives and experiences.

DONNA:
Yeah, when I started singing in front of an audience it was all about just daring to do it. Then when I saw people crying, moved, I felt guilty at first, scared for them, afraid I had hurt their feelings. But then I learned they felt I’d given them something. Once I understood that, I glimpsed why performers need an audience. It’s not just about daring, its someone to give to.
These folks are from all parts of the autism spectrum and they really shatter some stereotypes and I really love that. What do you think that does for our society, to really challenge those stereotypes?

KATHARINE:
It is a total privilege to work with the is ensemble of men and women who are each so individual that once you get to know them it is impossible to hang any stereotypes on them. They by their actions step out to challenge stereotypes and show the wider community the breadth of human experience on the Autism Spectrum. Humanity is what connects us all and stereotypes are smashed when people connect via common human experiences. There is much to connect to in these performances and therefore much to be gained beyond stereotypes.

DONNA:
I think that’s important. We should challenge our prejudices and assumptions, whoever we are, autistic and non-autistic alike.
Want to give us the where and when of the Fringe Festival and these performances?

KATHARINE:
OK, here’s the blurb:

E-MOVE and ASPIE LIVE! Double Bill
By ‘Per Aspera Ad Astra’

An exciting Double Bill by Adelaide’s only Autism Theatre Company. E-MOVE explores autism emotion through movement and dance. ASPIE LIVE! A Rove-esque talk-show explores the perspective of those living with Asperger syndrome. A side splitting deconstruction of popular culture through ASPIE eyes. Only 4 shows – don’t miss out!

Performance Dates and Times:
8 March 2008 – 2pm
5 – 7 March 2008 – 7pm,

Venue:
The Parks Arts and Function Complex (3 Cowan Street, Angle Park)

Cost:
Adults $18 Concession $14 Groups of 6+ $10 each

DONNA:
Speaking of ARTism, have you been to my art show there at Adelaide’s Grenfell Gallery until Feb 12? I’m told its a buzz.

KATHARINE:
I’ve been to see your show. I always love seeing your work as I gain something new every time. The venue is quite grand there on Grenfell St. Great exposure for you as an Artist and for educating the public about the Artism of Autism. Adelaide people must get down there and see it.

DONNA:
It’s an honor to have people visit it. I think it is my version of performance. I certainly prefer objects to communicate for me. Thanks for dropping by.

KATHARINE:
Thank You for Having me!!