Count me in! Rampenlichter

Interview with Anna Wurzbacher from Rampenlichter Festival

Could you describe the Rampenlichter?

The Rampenlichter Festival is one of the projects organised by our company, Culture Clouds, which is an independent child and welfare organisation. Our primary aim is to give all children and young people access to cultural education and the arts. One of our key partnerships was with a project that worked with people with learning difficulties and Down syndrome. Through this collaboration, we gained valuable insights and formed a support group within the festival. This group, made up of individuals with learning difficulties and Down syndrome, provided their perspectives on our work, helping us to implement changes. For example, they reviewed whether our leaflets were understandable, if the programme was accessible and clear, and they even checked the website. We later discussed with them what they would need to participate in festival workshops, their expectations for theatre spaces, and how those spaces could be more accommodating for them.

We are also part of an alliance run by the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People, or ASSITEJ. This association includes theatres, theatre pedagogues, independent theatre groups, and groups with deaf performers or individuals affected by racism and from the BIPOC community. Working together, we focus on making the theatre field more inclusive and accessible, and this collaboration has been a meaningful joint learning process.

Could you share an inspiring story or anecdote about DEAIB that took place at your festival?

One inspiring example from the festival was a performance by a mixed-ability group that included an actor with Down syndrome. He was an amazing, open person who connected with everyone. This openness was especially impactful, as young people can sometimes be shy, but his warm and funny personality brought everyone together. It was truly moving to see this dynamic unfold at the festival.

What is the festival’s relationship with Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEAIB)?

Incorporating DEAIB principles into our festival has been a continuous journey. A significant turning point was when we secured city funding for a dedicated position responsible for diversity and inclusion across all our projects. This role ensures that DEAIB remains a cross-sectional task, not just limited to project planning phases but ongoing. This individual also oversees employee training, offering workshops to our teams, and acts as a constant liaison for community partnerships. Having a dedicated person for DEAIB has allowed us to maintain consistency and integrate inclusivity as a core component of our work.

What challenges have you encountered while implementing DEAIB at your festival?

One major challenge has been around language and terminology. For instance, the term “inclusion” itself is sometimes not seen as inclusive by those it aims to represent. When we label something as an “inclusive programme,” it doesn’t always resonate positively, and people may not feel invited by this language. Additionally, within different communities, especially those affected by disabilities, there is often distinct terminology that differs from mainstream society. This can create communication barriers. To address this, we continuously collaborate with communities to ensure that our language reflects their perspectives and needs.

Interview done by Jeanne Godenèche.