D.A.F.T 2023 is presented by and showcases Wellington based d/Deaf and Disabled performing artists, writers, and filmmakers. The Festival is being held over two weeks across two accessible venues, the ground floor of BATS Theatre and Two/FiftySeven Willis Street, as well as two online events.

 

D.A.F.T stormed onto the stage in 2022, snagging a Wellington Theatre Award for social change, and delighting disabled and non-disabled audiences alike! 

D.A.F.T. is back, and with support from Creative NZ, it's more accessible, bigger, and an entire two weeks long! 

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This annual event celebrates and recognises the identity, community, and work of d/Deaf and Disabled artists and audiences in the performing arts in Wellington. D.A.F.T will provide a platform for d/Deaf and Disabled artists to develop and showcase their work and offer accessible events to d/Deaf and Disabled audiences and the wider community.

 

Festival Directors ‘Creatif’ Kate Spencer and Susan Williams return in 2023. They are both proudly disabled, neurodivergent, queer, theatre makers, performers, poets, comedians, and competitors in the race to remember all their diagnoses first! Both are bringing more talent than you can shake a walking stick at (don’t take Kate’s, she’ll fall over), or shake a white cane at, in Susan’s case. 

 

Creative NZ, Arts Access Aotearoa, Disability Pride Aotearoa, Barbarian Productions & Silver Noodle Soup Film & Theatre Company have all been key supporters, enabling D.A.F.T. to reach its second year.

 

If you would like to present your work at a future D.A.F.T, or perform at this year’s Scratch Night, or become part of the leadership team in future please contact us. 

 

We are looking for volunteers, disabled and non-disabled alike, to make the 2023 festival a reality. If you would like to be an usher, or a Wellbeing Wingperson (helping to make sure everyone is safe and cared for, and has a friendly face to point them in the right direction), then please email daftfestivalteam@gmail.com.