About Me…
Rachel has been a practicing Relaxed Performance Consultant for several years. Prior to this Rachel has an extensive background in theatre (ie. Stage Manager, Playwright, Artist Educator, Box Office and FOH) and worked developing events and programming for children/youth on the Autism Spectrum and their families for almost eight years.
Relaxed Performances are where Rachel combines her two career loves (Disability Action/Accessibility and Theatre). Rachel has helped Soulpepper Theatre Company and the Young Centre for Performing Arts, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Roy Thomson Hall, Thousand Islands Playhouse, the National Ballet of Canada, Comedy Bar (and many more!) to welcome the Neurodiverse and Disability communities to their venues and performances.
In 2018, Rachel was one of 18 artists worldwide chosen to participate in the Artist Track training at the Big Umbrella Festival (the first month-long arts festival just for kids with ASD in the world) at the Lincoln Center in NYC, and later that year studied at Creating with the Cart (Oily Cart Theatre and Rose Bruford College of East London) in London, creating work specifically created for Disabled children with multiple disabilities and developmental delays.
In February 2020 Rachel was accepted into, and completed, Access Activator Training with the British Council and Tangled Art + Disability.
Where I’ve Worked
Relaxed Performance Consulting
Soulpepper Theatre Company
Young Centre for Performing Arts
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Roy Thomson Hall
Thousand Islands Playhouse
The National Ballet of Canada
Comedy Bar
Hot Docs International Documentary Festival
WeeFestival Arts and Culture for Early Years
The Canadian Opera Company
Kingston Symphony Orchestra
Prairie Theatre Exchange
Stratford Festival Theatre
Harbourfront Centre
Kingston Symphony Orchestra
Public Speaking
Introduction to Relaxed Performances - Out the Woods Festival - Cape Town, South Africa - March 2024
Introduction to Accessibility & Relaxed Performances - Sheridan College - October 2023 & 2024
Introduction to Accessibility & Relaxed Performances - Guelph University - October 2023
Quick Wins for any Venue/Company on their Access Journey - Ticketing Professionals Conference - Birmingham, UK - March 2023
Working Conditions in the Arts & Disability - IETM - Belgrade, Serbia - September 2022
Enabling Change - Accessibility for the Performing Arts - (Orchestras Canada, Ontario Presents & Réseau Ontario)- February - May 2022 - Curated all presenters, Host for all sessions and Presenter - Venue/Access Guides
Forward Impact (Trenton Military Family Resource Centre) - February 2022 - Presenter - Relaxed Processes - Moving Past Accessibility Towards Inclusion
OPTA (Ontario Professional Ticketing Association) - October 2021 - Guest Speaker/Presenter - Relaxed Processes - Moving Past Accessibility Towards Inclusion
Spark the Future! (Theatre Direct) - April 2021 - Panelist - Accessibility in the Digital Age
Arts Engage Learning (Ontario Presents) - March 2021 - Panelist & Break Out Room Host - How to Relax Your Process to Encourage Creativity & Grace
Forward Impact (Trenton Military Family Resource Centre) - March 2021 - Panelist - How to take programming online and make it successful
Arts Engage Learning (Ontario Presents) - October 2020 - Panelist - Lifelong Arts: Community Engaged Arts Through the Lens of Age (Breakout room leader - How Relaxing your Performance can create a welcoming space for audiences of all ages and all abilities)
Arts Reach 2020 Virtual Roundtables - Presenter - Relaxed Performances - Who, Why & How
Arts Reach 2019 - Panelist - Relaxed Performances: Who, Why & How
Reel Access Discovery Forum - May 2019 - Facilitator
OPTA (Ontario Professional Ticketing Association) -February 2019 - Guest Speaker/Presenter- Introduction to Relaxed Performances
Arts Reach 2018 - Panelist - Best Practices for Exceeding Accessibility Laws: Creating a Culture of Inclusion
Awards
RAD Community Developer 2021
The RAD Community Developer Award acknowledges an individual who, in their personal, public, or work life, actively contributes to a shared vision of a diverse, accessible, inclusive and welcoming community for ALL. This person's efforts help to ensure there is a meaningful place for everyone by inviting collaboration and fostering connection in our #RADCommunity. Brockville & District Association for Community Involvement
Award Nominations
Governor General’s Award for Community History:
A Lasting Impression - Director, Elgin & Area Heritage Society 2012
RILTS Time Tours - Writer, Director & Producer, Elgin & Area Heritage Society 2012 The Silver Lining - Director & Producer, Friends of Murphys Point Park 2011
Grant Recipient
Digital Sparks 2021 - The WeeFestival of Arts and Culture: The Star Chaser virtual pilot project - March 2021
Ontario Arts Council Theatre Recommender Grant:
Supreme Fort Maker & Trusted Advisor - December 2014