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Broadway has the power to shape culture, but who gets to take the stage? In this episode, we sit down with Broadway actress and disability advocate Jenna Bainbridge, who is currently starring as Nessarose in Wicked as the first wheelchair user to perform the role on Broadway. Jenna also made her Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning musical Suffs, where she originated an accessible track that continues to create opportunities for future disabled performers. We explore the history of disability representation in theater, why authentic casting matters, the barriers disabled artists still face on and off stage, and how accessibility should be built into productions from the very beginning. Jenna also shares the story behind co-founding ConsultAbility, a nonprofit helping theaters become more accessible for disabled artists, employees, and audiences alike. Whether you’re a theater lover, performer, educator, or advocate, this conversation is a powerful reminder that disability representation isn’t charity - it’s artistry.
Links Mentioned:
- ConsultAbility: consultability.org/
- Wicked on Broadway: wickedthemusical.com/
- Suffs: suffsmusical.com/
- Phamaly Theatre Company: https://phamaly.org/
- Intro 1307: legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7434038&GUID=30E013CD-2EB5-4700-B2D0-1E4ABFA6E244&Options=&Search=
- Official Site for Accessibility to Broadway: theatreaccess.nyc/
Connect with Jenna Bainbridge
Instagram | Website | TikTok
Connect with Kelly Berger
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
Connect with Avery Roberts
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
Intro/Outro Music Created by Andy Rusch
Image Description: Jenna, Kelly, and Avery engage in a virtual conversation. Jenna, on the left, is a woman with shoulder-length dark brown hair, wearing a mustard yellow knit sweater over a burgundy top. She appears to be in her home with framed wall art, a mirror, a plant, and a black hanging lamp visible in the background. Kelly, in the middle, is a woman with light brown hair, wearing a pink sweater and white wireless earbuds. She has a small nose ring and is positioned in front of a wall, out of focus, with some decor. Avery, on the right, is another woman with shoulder-length brown hair and white earbuds. She is wearing a sage green top and is positioned in front of a blurred background that hints at a window.
