Hello and welcome to another episode of the Perception Podcast with me your host Caroline Partridge. In today's episode I talk to actress and campaigner Freddie Stabb. In our conversation Freddie shares how as a person with a disability, she has navigated the world of acting for over 30 years. We discuss tokenism, how the representation of disability on screen is a powerful tool in shaping society's perception of disabled people and how that representation can be limiting and unrealistic. We also talk about the trials and tribulations of the casting process for actors with disabilities, and why casting able-bodied actors in disabled roles should be considered unacceptable, as disability is not a costume. So please join me as we look at life through a different lens.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Being bullied as a teenager for her disability gave Freddie the determination to pursue a career in acting.
• ‘Disabled blind casting’ is a disservice to disabled actors, studios and people working with disabled actors need to recognise and understand an actor’s disability to make the right accommodations for them.
• Freddie’s lived experiences have allowed her to correct and amend things in the writing of her roles to make them more accurate and realistic, often educating those she works alongside.
• Writers and studios still aren’t daring when it comes to casting disabled actors, they are frequently given smaller parts in shows, they are rarely the protagonists.
• If we can cgi able-bodied actors to having disabilities, then why aren’t we doing the opposite? Disabilities aren’t a costume.
• If disabled writers start to be recognised more and are given opportunities in mainstream media, then we will begin to see a more accurate representation of disabilities on screen.

BEST MOMENTS

"You wouldn’t believe I’ve done half the things I have with my life”

“There’s this disabled blind casting which is kind of unrealistic”

“It’s really important to be able to educate the people around you”

“There seems to be a big fear around disability (in casting)”

“When is someone with a disability going to get a main role in a regular series”

“My disability is not a costume”

“If you have confidence in yourself as a human being it becomes easier to pass on the message”

ABOUT THE GUEST

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Having worked as an actress for over thirty years, Freddie's most recent work included 'The Witcher' Netflix, 'Breathtaking' ITV and 'Stephen' ITV. Her theatre work has included understudying for Liz Carr in 'The Normal Heart' at The National Theatre, 'The House of Bernarda Alba' at Royal Exchange in Manchester and projects including corporate, voice over and documentary presenting. One of her highlights was working with Mark Rylance and Johnathan Moore on 'What You Will', a pop-up Shakespeare project across London during the Paralympics in 2012. 

She has been a vocal supporter of disability rights in the industry, working with Equity on their 'Deaf and Disabled Committee' over the years and is on the steering committee for Actor at the Centre, a campaign group who are working to return 1a Tower St (now 7 Dials Playhouse) to a home for actors by actors as its original purpose. Freddie is represented by Nicola Bolton Management.

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Insta /FB /X : @freddiestabb

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