SIC’s Career Spotlights: Sol Woodroffe
This article was originally posted on our sister-site, the SIC Learning Hub.
Sol Woodroffe is a severely sight impaired theatre-maker from Bristol who is part of theatre company Coin Toss Collective. We sat down with them for chat about their career experience in the theatre industry so far.
A headshot of Sol Woodroffe. They are a white person with short blonde hair. They are wearing a grey turtle neck jumper and glasses, and are smiling at the camera.
Why did you choose the career that you did?
I love performing and using my body at work but I also wanted my work to be intellectually stimulating. I fell in love with devised theatre because it ticks all those boxes so effectively. I am also in an improvised theatre company. I enjoy improv because it improves you as a performer. You are forced to be agile on stage.
Why is accessibility important in the theatre industry?
All good theatre offers a new perspective on the human condition. Having human’s with a serious diversity of conditions making theatre guarantees new perspectives. More importantly, disabled people should both have the chance to applaud and be applauded. This act is is joyous.
Have you ever experienced any access barriers in your theatre career?
When working in an ensemble, there are often bodies and props whirring about on stage. This movement can be difficult for me to negotiate because I am severely sight impaired. I find this is especially difficult working with new theatre makers whose movement I’m not used to. I’ve never been asked if I would like to share any invisible disabilities with a group. This is something that could be introduced in good workshop practice.
What practices do you have that you would like to be mirrored in other workplaces?
A check-in and out before and after rehearsal in which you can admit if you’re hungover or tired or if you have lots of energy and focus. In our group this allows people to say “I am strong and ready to lead” or to say “I’m not doing so well, watch out for me”. It creates the honesty and compassion that is necessary for good performance.
Warm up exercises with a whole group are also a great tool. It creates a strong sense of complicity and responsibility with everyone on stage.
Which disabled theatre makers inspire you?
I’m inspired by actor and director Ben Wilson and all the work he creates. Also a big shoutout to Ramesh Meyyappan! They’re a deaf theatre maker and one of the most fantastic movement artists I’ve ever come across.
What is your career advice for aspiring disabled theatre makers?
Try and use your disability to your advantage but don’t let it define the work you make. People in the industry will often want you to make work about your experience. This can turn out good work but often it’s stronger to create work about something else that is enriched by your experience.
Where can people see your work?
I’m in final rehearsals for FREAK OUT with Coin Toss Collective. This will be performed at Network Theatre, Waterloo London on the 18th and 19th March. Please come along!
I also perform every Monday during University term time (usually) at Jericho Tavern, Oxford with the Oxford Imps. Come see our opening show on the first Monday of the term at The Bullingdon!
