Emerging performer and disability advocate Isabel Stankiewicz challenges audiences to delve into the darkness

Originally created in a sauna, Necklace is the original work of brisbane-based theatre maker Isabel Stankiewicz. Born with a cleft palate and unable to make a fist with her hands, Isabel’s parents supported her to  explore a variety of therapies which she attended from an early age. Through speech therapy, Isabel learnt poetry and elocution and to develop her fine motor skills, Isabel learnt the organ and many instruments which cemented her love and passion for the arts as a backdrop to her many “adventures” to date.

Between her theatre studies at the University of Queensland and experimenting with other performers, Isabel went on to star in productions, to explore improvisation, musicals and comedy. At this point, Isabel began to feel uncomfortable through her realisation that she was experiencing her own internalised ableism. Isabel says “I did not belong, this sense of isolation and rejection distanced me from my peers and the arts”.

10 years on, it wasn’t until much later that her involvement with Theatre of The Oppressed enabled her to come full circle back to delving into her darkness, her formative years and how the arts had played a pivotal role in helping her understand herself and her struggles. Isabel says “it is poignant how my artistic practice provided a path to managerial leadership with a disability employment service, then building inclusive community spaces in Brisbane and curating arts projects, such as Room 301 and onward, towards Necklace, conceived in a sauna and now for a stage”

Isabel says “Necklace is more than a show, it is a shared experience. Its very design draws people into the idea of ‘circle’ and its relationship to everyone in the room changes the outcomes of the narrative and its shared learnings through participating together.”

Audiences say “It is so important that we share our stories and it was so amazing to watch the faces of the audience as you shared yours.  Audiences are hungry to share and to feel empathy and hope, you gave us room to do that.  You were brave and splendid and held us in the palm of your hand”.

Necklace is an intimate, autobiographical and participatory performance exploring the experience of being treated and viewed as a burden on the medical system whilst bringing to light the joys, struggles and triumphs from diagnosis to acceptance. At turns funny and gut wrenching, this story reminds us to be adventurers, always searching for the treasure within ourselves and others. This show will surprise and delight you and widen critical conversations about our perceptions of disability.

Necklace premieres to audiences as part of Anywhere Festival! Join Isabel and her suitcase for an adventure you will not forget.

Tour dates: 2-4 August 2024
Venue: Marhaba Cafe
Booking info: https://anywhere.is/event/necklace/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delveintothedark
Hashtag #delveintothedarkness