The Program
Elevators is a collaboration between Impulse Theatre and Embrace Arts Foundation that supports neurodivergent and disabled artists. It is a responsive cohort that is tailored to meet the different working styles, capacities and projects of the artists involved.
Facilitators Statement
“This year, we wanted to focus on just creating a container for these artists to be together: to lead conversation, share their joys and their struggles, in a soft environment. It's a tender thrill to focus on connection before product, and we're excited to see what these artists share and learn from each other.”
Andrew Barrett (Impulse Theatre) & Tiffany Tjosvold (Embrace Arts Foundation)
2026 Participants
Claire Bruce
Artist Statement:
I am very excited to be a part of this! Also I am excited to see what everyone brings to the cohort.
Bio:
Claire Bruce (she/her) is a Latina dance and theatre artist with cerebral palsy living on the traditional territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ and Lekwungen Peoples. Claire has worked with Embrace Arts on numerous original productions, including In Wonder and various works at Skampede, and more.
Amber Downie-Back
Artist Statement:
I’m excited to share space, connection and conversation with fellow disabled and neurodivergent artists and explore intimate ways of centring access and relating to each other and to our art.
Bio:
Amber Downie-Back (they/she) is an interdisciplinary artist based on unceded lək̓ wəŋən territories. Amber’s work includes movement, video, projection, sculpture and other installation media and reflects their lived experience with chronic illness. They were a recipient of the 2023 Chrystal Dance Prize.
Kerri Flannigan
Artist Statement:
Topics of interest I hope to explore in the cohort:
re-imagining my relationship to conventions of performance and audience engagement from a neuro-affirming perspective.
building longer-term supportive relationships in arts communities.
considering strategies for non-shame-based ways to organize a system of practice that can feel in conflict with capitalism/ableism.
Bio:
Kerri Flannigan (they/she) is an interdisciplinary artist based on Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories (Victoria), who experiments with deeply researched storytelling that collages drawing, video, print, and performance. With a background in DIY animation and zines, Flannigan creates frameworks that connect the personal to wider historical and cultural spheres of context.
Heather Jarvie
Artist Statement:
I’m excited to be part of the Elevators cohort at Peek Fest with Impulse Theatre because I’m eager to connect with artists, challenge my creative practice, and explore new ways of making work. I’m looking forward to sharing ideas, learning from others, and building lasting creative relationships.
Bio:
Heather Jarvie (she/her) is a neurodivergent and dynamically disabled artist, director, producer, and co-founder of hapax theatre. A passionate advocate for equity and inclusion, she has worked in Victoria’s theatre community for over two decades. Recent directing credits include Beside Myself, The Incredible Glowing Woman, Nevermore, and The Ice Keeps.
Past Participants
2025
Hannah Mariko Bell
Corina Fischer
Luka Garvin
Emily McFarlane
2024
Hannah Mariko Bell
Corina Fischer
Luka Garvin
Eevan Hocking
2023
Claire Bruce
with
Jump Around
Adam Irwin-Gunn
with
Galaxy of Moons
2022
Luka Garvin with
Colours of Restricted Access
Green Violet Productions with
Isabella Blue and the Legend of the Rowan Witch
Noelle Theobald with
Snapshot
2021
Claire Bruce with
Joy and All It's Friends
Joanne Cuffe with
Remiss Gendering
Regan Shrumm with
50 Shades of Grief: A Neurotic Erotica
2020
Elevators 2020 showcased micro presentations of visual/tactile art and poetry from local neurodiverse and disabled artists.
In 2020, Elevators included the work of: Adam Irwin-Gunn, Andrea Jones, Luka Garvin, Janelle Resendes, and Rachael Buchanan. These pieces were presented with full audio description prior to Wee Peeks, Peek Show 9, and the Residency Showcase.