Welcome

Picasso PRO is an advanced program to provide a vital bridge between ‘beginnings’ and real integration for artists with disability in the performing arts. Picasso PRO is managed by Rose Jacobson. 

view slide shows of workshops and events!

Important Notice Re: Picasso PRO's Future Plans

As of April 2008 Picasso PRO is exploring new options for another round of programming/community engagement and a new partnership. Baseline activities continue uninterrupted including website information, small group gatherings and community consultation. We continue to cross-promote independent projects from the field and to provide strong artist support.

JULY 2008: "Brown Bag" Summer Events:     

This  summer is filled with performances and events  by     artists we know and love. Make sure not to miss the following:

 

Alan Shain at the Toronto Fringe

A year ago Marc impressed Linda, dragging his walker and himself up two flights of stairs to dance with her. Now, on their first anniversary, Linda wants to talk about the relationship! But, is Marc willing to drag himself up stairs forever - even for the woman he loves?  “Time To Put My Socks On” blends humor with personal narrative to provide insight into the lived experience of disability, while debunking stereotypes around dating, sex, and especially marriage! Don't miss the sneak preview of "Time to Put My Socks On"  written and performed by Alan Shain at the 2008 Toronto Fringe Festival.

Alan Shain, Artistic Director of Smashing Stereotypes Productions (www.alanshain.com), is an Ottawa-based multi-disciplinary artist, working in performance creation, solo-performance, dance, story-telling, and stand-up comedy. Alan has played to more than 700 audiences around the world – including Australia, the UK, Taiwan, Bermuda, Canada, and the USA.  The Creative Team includes Michelle Decottignies and Nicole Dunbar, Artistic Directors of Stage Left Productions in Calgary and Rachel Gorman, a  Toronto-based choreographer and performance artist.

ONLY SEVEN SHOWS:  Thursday, July 3 @ 6:30 PM;   Friday, July 4 @ 11:00 PM;   Tuesday, July 8 @ 2:45 PM;   Wednesday, July 9 @ 7:45 PM;   Thursday, July 10 @ 1:45 PM;   Friday, July 11 @ 12:30 PM;   Saturday, July 12 @ 7:00 PM

Venue 8 - Tarragon Extra Space - 30 Bridgman Avenue
Tickets:  $10 at the door or for advance purchase through 416.966.1062 or www.fringetoronto.com

 

Mad People's History play goes west then returns to Toronto!
 

Tied Together a new play about Mad People's History, will be showcased in Toronto on July 17th as part of Mad Pride Week at May Robinson Auditorium, 20 Westlodge at 7:30pm.

In June 11th the Friendly Spike Theatre Band headed to Vancouver to read Tied Together as part of Simon Fraser University's Madness, Citizenship and Social Justice Conference.

 The play Tied Together, focuses on patient labour at The Toronto Hospital for the Insane, 999 Queen St. W. (today's CAMH).  The story grows from photographs of three patients, taken during the early 1900's; May F. Audrey B. and Mathilda K.  These photographs are, also,  currently part of Out From Under, Disability History and Things to Remember,  an exhibit presented by Ryerson University's School of Disability Studies, at the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) until July 13th.  The research for the basis of the play comes from the book Remembrance of Patients Past, Patient Life at The Toronto Hospital for The Insane, 1870-1940 by Geoffrey Reaume (Oxford, 2000)

Actors taking a part in the Vancouver presentation of Tied Together are;  Ruth Ruth Stackhouse, Anna Monti Di Oro, Myrna Schacherl, Linda Carter and Helen Posno.  With additional acting by JiJi Voronka, Erick Fabris and Richard Ingram. For information contact friendlyspike@primus.ca
 

Annual Simply People Festival: Celebrating Our Lives & Identities

Simply People is a free celebration of the diversity in our community coming together through music, dance, speakers and community supporters. To mark the 5th annual disability celebration in Toronto, Canadians young and old will gather at Nathan Phillips Square on Wednesday, July 22nd from 5:30PM to 8:30PM for an inspirational and entertainment-packed evening. This free event is open for the general public to attend.

If you are a performer with/without a disability (band, dance group, singer, actor, comedian, etc.), interested in volunteering to perform on stage down at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto on Tuesday, July 22nd, please contact us by June 30th. We offer free stage space, sound and media promotion.

For more information about this outdoors event, please e-mail the organizers at simplypeople@canwapss.com or contact Uzma Khan at: 416-890-2733. This event is brought to you by CANWAPSS (Canada-Wide Accessibility for Post-Secondary Students).

ABOUT CANWAPSS: Our mission is our commitment to increase accessibility and inclusion for post-secondary students with disabilities across Canada in all sectors, through providing advocacy, support and other services and initiatives. Our vision is the full societal participation and inclusion of post-secondary students with disabilities across Canada.
 

Norma Araiza and Mayahuel Tecozautla at Harbourfront

On July 12th at 3:00 pm, Mayahuel Tecozautla and Norma Araiza are performing a dance duet at the Studio Theatre as part of Ritmo Y Color, the annual weekend of Hispanic and Latin American arts & Culture, Harbourfront Centre, July 11-13th. Many of you will know Mayahuel and Norma best as the specialists who co-led Picasso PRO’s workshop on Rituals and Stories at our recent Training Summit in March. TO CONFIRM the performance time details please go to www.harbourfrontcentre.ca. The Studio Theatre is moderately wheelchair accessible, meaning there are limited spaces for wheelchairs; it is advised to call ahead to reserve a space.