Excerpts, talkbacks and Q&A with special guests
providing health and healing education and advocacy.
Kevin Spencer
Historically, artists have been at the forefront of social change. Spencer advocates the power of the arts to inspire, transform, and build community. He believes in the inherent dignity of all people. Yet around the world, billions of individuals are excluded from full participation in the cultural systems that shape their lives. Spencer is a thought leader that addresses the inequality of individuals with different abilities with creativity, confidence, and courage.
Please bring the following items
*if you wish but not required
1 quarter and 2 dimes
1 bank note of any denomination
2 2″ paper clips
Watch Episode Below
About the Performer
Kevin Spencer is an award-winning performing artist who, for more than 25 years, toured the world with his wife and partner (Cindy) with one of the largest and most successful theatrical illusion productions in the U.S. They left behind a trail of accolades in their wake including 2009 International Illusionists of the Year, 2015 International Magicians of the Year, and six-time recipient of Performing Arts Entertainers of the Year.
At the pinnacle of his career, Spencer stepped away from the stage and into classrooms and hospitals. As an educator, artist, consultant, and cultural entrepreneur, he works to create inclusive communities where everyone experiences an authentic sense of belonging and no one – for any reason – is relegated to the margins.
He is faculty in the department of education at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, a research consultant for the Occupational Therapy department and Arts in Medicine program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a subject matter expert and Fulbright Specialist on arts integration for special populations for the U.S. Department of State, and an Approved Provider of Continuing Education for the American Occupational Therapy Association.
In 2016, he produced a short documentary – Powerful Medicine: Simply Magic– that showcases individuals of varying abilities who, through the art of magic, have overcome physical, developmental, and intellectual challenges. It has earned 18 international film festival awards and continues to inspire audiences around the world.
Kevin Spencer has dedicated his life to making a difference in communities around the world – both on and off the stage. He is a thought leader who addresses the inequality of individuals with disabilities with creativity, confidence, and courage.
https://kevinspencerlive.com/
ABOUT SOLO ARTS HEAL
Solo performers present real-life, empowering stories. Transformative experiences for audiences. A theater of resilience that celebrates overcoming mental and physical life challenges and offers hope and inspiration. SOLO ARTS HEAL includes excerpts, talkbacks, and Q&A that provide education and advocacy. Readings or clips of performances will be shared by artists in conversation with Gail Schickele, whose work as a manager and producer of solo artists inspired collaboration of performing arts presenters with artists on a medical track based on their personal experience. The collective creative vision? To help communities through educational outreach and the healing power of the Arts.
About the Host
Gail Schickele (Host) champions arts & sciences taking her left and right brain wherever she travels. As an arts manager, consultant, and producer dba SAGE Artists, she convened an ‘Arts Heals’ group of solo artists at APAP 2020 whose unique stories of physical and mental challenges evince the healing power of The Arts. The COVID lockdown inspired Stephanie Weisman to create SOLO ARTS HEAL to share these outstanding stories of resilience, dramatic and comedic, for the entertainment and benefit of communities everywhere. Gail’s expertise in marketing, management, booking and production has served various theaters, festivals and events nationwide. Trained as a journalist in New York and Colorado, Gail has covered Colorado state politics and the environmental landscape of the Rockies. Environmental science inspires her educational and advocacy work in California with Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project, and for the League of Women Voters for which she’s worked as an administrator and reporter on environmental issues Including legislation, climate science outreach, and co-chair of an environmental speakers series. Gail is honored to host SOLO ARTS HEAL where artists powerful stories offer audiences great performance and ‘informance’ on issues related to health and the environment, inexorably linked.