How to Be a Disability Ally in the Entertainment Biz with Christine Bruno

Disabled people are the United States’ largest minority group, encompassing a quarter of the country’s population. And yet only 5% of characters in television, film, and theatre are disabled, and only 2% of those roles are actually played by disabled actors.

Christine Bruno is a multi-hyphenate whose many titles include actress, activist, teaching artist, disability inclusion consultant, and warrior. She joins the podcast today to shed light on how the disabled community navigates the entertainment industry. As non-disabled actors and creatives, we lack a certain level of awareness and firsthand experience when it comes to representation and the problematic nature of non-disabled actors playing disabled characters. Christine is here to educate us so we can be better advocates for the disabled community, making the entertainment industry more inclusive.

I gave Christine full permission to correct me throughout this very important conversation. From the language do’s and don’ts surrounding disabled people to the problem with non-disabled actors playing disabled roles, Christine uses her expertise to lovingly put us in our place while fiercely advocating for the business we want to see.

To be an artist, Christine believes you need advocacy and activist tools in your toolkit and this episode is a masterclass. Tune in if inclusion is important to you and be prepared as Christine lovingly schools us on how to be a true ally to the US’ largest minority group in the entertainment business and in life.

CLOSER LOOK & TAKEAWAYS

The most important 3 things you need to know if you want to be a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion advocate
The things casting directors are not allowed to ask
Why lived experience (disability, race, sexuality, etc) is not a technical acting skill
How Christine navigated NYC as a disabled young woman
Christine’s serendipitous journey to becoming a disability advocate in the entertainment industry
What Christine’s one opportunity to prove herself taught her about making herself undeniable and being her own advocate
What you can do to become a better ally to the disabled community

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Brian Breaks Character!

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Want to learn more? If you’re an actor and your goal is to have a fabulous representation, come watch Make Agents Want You for free http://www.makeagentswantyou.com That way, you can get off the hamster wheel of reaching out to reps and focus on the acting you were born to do.

Connect With Christine

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/christinebrunonyc/

Website https://www.brunodisabilityinclusion.com/

Subscribe To The Podcast

Apple

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brian-breaks-character/id1570747490

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/2A0QC6RYtcULRMtbsIT3yq?si=xu3QstDpS9WkpoQwHVSueg&nd=1

Watch The Uncut Behind-the-scenes Video Of This Episode On Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/brianpatacca

Need New Representation? Get In On This Free Training:

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