In 2024, I intended Captain Ted: Disabled Pirate to be my theatrical “swan song.” As a disabled artist, I didn’t think it would go anywhere from there. It has been difficult finding opportunities that are open to a wheelchair user. I’m glad that the Pirate didn’t end me but saved me. It rekindled my drive to do more, stick with theatre, and take some leaps that eventually opened incredible doors of opportunity for me. I was encouraged to keep writing and bring Captain Ted to new and further adventures.
 

In the fall of 2024, I was again invited to join RealWheels (now Glitch) Theatre’s disabled playwright circle. As in 2022, I collaborated with eight other disabled playwrights from across Canada to bring Captain Ted: Disabled Astronaut to life.
 

This play, like the first, started out as stupid fun. I’m a sci-fi fanatic; if it’s in space, I’m interested. What I wasn’t prepared for was that this play reflected on my struggles with self-esteem, self-doubt, and the feeling that I constantly need to prove my abilities to myself and to others. Especially as it pertains to being a person with a disability trying to find their way in the workforce. A sentiment that I’m sure many disabled persons face.

I am so thankful and excited about the cast and crew assembled. It’s a mixture of disabled and non-disabled actors. I'm also happy that there is a vast 2SLGBTQAI+ representation in the cast and crew. We have created, laughed, and stuck together through some challenging times. You 
have made this experience an amazing one.
 

Due to the aforementioned losses, unfortunately, we were unable to include ASL performer in the show. A loss I’m personally sad about, but a loss that could not be remedied. I’m happy to provide the opportunity for ASL interpretation for all our shows. However, if you do not see the interpreters at a particular show, it is because their services were not required by anyone in the audience. It’s common practise to excuse themselves to prevent ASL Interpretation from being preformative. I encourage MORE interpretation to make the arts accessible, and I am encourages Strokes of Genius have inspired other theatre companies to incorporate more ASL interpretation.

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My respect and admiration for this cast & crew have grown immensely. The amount of support and trust they have shown me, I feel, I will never fully be able to reciprocate. But I will try. A captain is only as good as the ones who surround them. And in my opinion, “they were simply the best, better than all the rest.”
 

Please note two things: (1)We have a horn, but don’t use it – we found the sound to be triggering for a lot of our cast & crew members. (2)We used the Irish Rovers version of ‘Purple People Eater’ – I don’t like the original, I grew up with the Rovers, and keep it Canadian.
 

I hope you enjoy the show as much as we enjoyed the adventure of bringing it to the stage.