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 lovely 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!

 

If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave an honest review. Your review helps boost the show and gives us the chance to help more creatives get out of suffering for their art and into action. Be sure to leave your IG handle when you do so I can send a VIP episode to say thank you.

 

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/

Disability Language Guide

https://brianbreakscharacter.com/11

 

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

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

 

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Episode Transcript: 

https://brianbreakscharacter.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Ep.11+Christine+Bruno+-+Transcript.pdf