Creative Enabler Training

Creative Enablers (CEs) empower Deaf/Blind/disabled and/or neurodivergent artists to carry out their professional creative practice. This could be at an audition, on a film set or a theatre tour.

The role of the Creative Enabler is to enable an actor’s practice on any given job so they can produce their best work whilst maintaining good physical and mental health. The nature of this role is often varied and can change on a case-by-case basis depending on both the individual artist and the work.

Creative Enablers require briefing information ahead of time so they can plan how they will enable an artist’s creative practice. They may also be aware of other factors such as medical information that the artist will share with the CE but not see relevant to share on their access rider or widely in the production.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities that might be expected from a Creative Enabler. As stated, these vary, as such, this list is not exhaustive. 

• Ensure the actor is given time, space and respect to produce their best work.
• Advocate for access requirements to be met as stated on the Access Rider.
• Facilitate communication between the rest of the cast & crew and the actor.
• Assist the actor in knowing what will be happening next and make sure they are aware of schedules and any scheduling changes.
• Support the actor to make dietary choices that will enable them to work at their physical and mental best, where appropriate.
• Support the actor with their stamina and advocate for breaks if necessary.
• Make relevant notes and assist with line running (or equivalent) during down times if needed.
• Ensure the actor knows what is expected in a professional setting and support the understanding of unwritten social cues and professional practices.
• Provide support outside of the production itself. i.e. travel, during breaktimes and at the accommodation, where provided.

 A note on Access Coordinators:

The role differs to that of an Access Coordinator. An Access Coordinator (AC) will oversee access for all cast and crew. The Creative Enabler is there to serve the talent, not the production. They are acutely aware of the individual artist’s access requirements and will liaise with the AC and production to advocate for them being met. If tasks are allocated by the production that the CE feels compromises their ability to support the artist(s) they are at liberty to refuse. In this case, the AC should be brought into the discussion of how to best move forward.

In the room with a Creative Enabler:

When the right access is in place it may appear that a Creative Enabler is not doing much, you may even question the need for one. However, they are constantly aware of the actor; their stamina, triggers, access requirements and their understanding of what’s happening in the room.

They may provide practical or emotional assistance out of sight, such as tying shoelaces or providing emotional support. They may advocate for breaks or for a window to be opened or anything else that the actors require but may not be able to action or articulate for themselves.

If you would like to learn more about becoming or working with Creative Enablers please contact Hijinx’s Access Lead Sami Dunn: sami.dunn@hijinx.org.uk