What is Impersonal Space?
Impersonal Space is a theatre work developed by Company AT, an all-Autistic theatre company. Written by award-winning playwright Emily Steel and directed by Julian Jaensch.
Premiering in 2017 at the Queens Theatre Impersonal Space is a South Australian play with an entirely autistic cast that helps audiences see the world through the eyes of a child with autism.
Impersonal Space is about a child's journey through her diagnosis, and her parents' journey too as they come to terms with difference.
Nameless sets out on a journey of the imagination to find strength in her differences and happiness in herself
Why this work is so important!
Why is this relevant now?
An estimated 164,000 Australians have Autism according to a 2015 survey, this represents around 0.7% of the population.
Autism is a state of being that affects how a person thinks, feels, interacts with others, and experiences their environment.
Many Autistic people face challenges when people around them don’t have an understanding of what Autism is and don’t offer them the proper respect and support.
Student Benefit
This work helps to normalise conversations around Autism and Neurodivergence. It strives to get students to think about how to create safe spaces for those around them.
Students will:
Investigate what Autism and Neurodivergence are
Examine how accommodations can be used to support people with different needs
Evaluate how characters with and without Autism communicate and perceive social interactions
Apply learnings about how to make their spaces more accessible to neurodivergent people
How to implement this work
There are 2 education packs available, one for year levels 5-6, and one for year levels 7-8
The units are presented with links to digital and printable resources, activity sheets and word placemats. Each session explores a different element of the work and is connected to General Capability sections of the Curriculum, along with links to sources and further research.
There is content and notes for teachers to access before the work.
The content is designed to be explored over 3 sessions:
PRE-SHOW CONTENT
Understanding Autism and Neurodiversity
Exploring Company AT and how they make theatre
THE SHOW
Watching the full performance
Discussion and debrief
POST-SHOW CONTENT
Characters and perspectives study
How to consider access needs
Extra educational content (suitable for more in-depth subject-specific study) is available around:
Understanding Brechtian Theatre - A look at the theatre philosophy behind the work
“[A] hugely entertaining, thought-provoking and richly rewarding theatre experience.”
DAVID O’BRIEN, THE BAREFOOT REVIEW
“Impersonal Space is a performance that I think everyone should see.”
TALIA GAERTNER-JONES, ADELAIDE THEATRE GUIDE