Identity Theater Company

The Big Apple is known for the biggest and best theatrical opportunities. And the Identity Theater Company wants to ensure that such opportunities exist for all, including “differently-abled artists,” and so their mission is to: present work that cultivates understanding, promotes tolerance and engages its participants in meaningful discussions. Founder and executive director Nicholas Linnehan tells AmeriDisability that, in 2019, the company is slated for at least one adult show, one children’s show and a reading series of new plays. Plus, Identity recently filmed its first original piece, Catfish?, which Nicholas hopes will be showcased at festivals. He says because “imagination knows no disability,” he encourages collaboration between disabled and non-disabled performers to push boundaries and make the impossible possible. “By doing this, we aim to let the talent, not the ability level, speak for itself,” Nicholas explains.

The Identity Theater Company has traveled, thus far, throughout the five boroughs and to Yonkers. But, as an advocate for inclusion, Nicholas’s message should be heard worldwide: “It is no longer acceptable, in my opinion, to have an able-bodied person play a disabled character when there are so many capable disabled actors out there. Furthermore, just because a character is not specifically written for a disabled person does not mean that a disabled person cannot play that character effectively. If acting is rooted in pretend, then why can’t we open our eyes and hearts to the abilities that are out there and that are going unheard?”