RAMPS ON THE MOON PODCAST

Michèle Taylor talks to Christopher Samuel, a multi-disciplinary artist whose practice is rooted in identity and disability politics. Often echoing the many facets of his own lived experience as a Black disabled man, his work tells stories, highlighting the often unseen experiences of his day to day life and those of others in similar circumstances. His practice includes small detailed ink drawings, film, print, audio, research, and large installations.Samuel works alongside galleries, museums, archives and other institutions to address missing representation in our cultural spaces.In this episode Christopher talks about plugging holes, taking risks and the importance of a community working together."So in cultural spaces, in popular culture. And the disabled experience. I think for me I look around and I’m thinking, there’s missing stories that need to be told. And I have a plethora of stories that I can draw on." Thank you to Christopher for an extremley thought provoking and honest chat.Thank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor.Michèle Taylor, is a disability equality trainer and consultant, and has been Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon since the Consortium was convened. For the 10 years, she has been supporting the partner theatres to embed disability equality and anti-ableism into their organisations and to realise their ambitions around elevating disabled people across the mainstream industry. In 2022 Michèle was honoured with an MBE For Services to Theatre and Disabled People.This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk 

Michèle Taylor talks to Rachel Sharpe, Head of Co-Creation, Creative Learning and Engagement at the Royal Shakespeare Company.In this powerful conversation Rachel chats about:The emotional story of Ukrainian actors collaborating with the RSC on King LearWhat genuine co-creation looks like in practiceThe 'risk register' - a practice which make creativity possibleHer personal experience of parenting an autistic child — and what the theatre world is getting right (and wrong) for neurodivergent peopleThis episode is a moving, honest exploration of how the arts can drive societal change when inclusivity and personal experiences are placed at the heart of creative work.Thank you Rachel for sharing your fascinating world.Thank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor.Michèle Taylor, is a disability equality trainer and consultant, and has been Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon since the Consortium was convened. For the 10 years, she has been supporting the partner theatres to embed disability equality and anti-ableism into their organisations and to realise their ambitions around elevating disabled people across the mainstream industry. In 2022 Michèle was honoured with an MBE For Services to Theatre and Disabled People.This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk 

Michèle Taylor talks to Maximillian Fairley - screen and stage actor about his flourishing career and what matters to him to be able to do his best work.Max talks about his experience in playing a lead role (Harry) in World Premier Village Idiot - A co-production by Theatre Royal Stratford East, Nottingham Playhouse and Ramps on the Moon, and written by Samson HawkinsMax talks in depth about his integral role playing Marty Baines in in Season 6 of ITV blockbuster UnforgottenMax also talks about the importance for actors with neurodiversity and disability to included:"And I think it is very important to me, not even just with neurodiversity and disability, I think in general, you know, even going beyond that, To me it's very important that actually I can be a part of proving that we are just as capable as neurotypical actors in portraying roles which have an integral part to the story, in even portraying stories in which maybe neurodiversity and disability aren't discussed. We are capable of doing it, you know? We're not a liability. We're not incapable of reaching the same highs"Thank you Max for a brilliant and enlightening conversation. We can't wait to see you on screen again!#MaxamillianFairley #podcast #Unforgotten #VillageIdiot #RampsOnTheMoonThank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor.Michèle Taylor, is a disability equality trainer and consultant, and has been Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon since the Consortium was convened. For the 10 years, she has been supporting the partner theatres to embed disability equality and anti-ableism into their organisations and to realise their ambitions around elevating disabled people across the mainstream industry. In 2022 Michèle was honoured with an MBE For Services to Theatre and Disabled People.This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk 

Michèle Taylor talks to Penelope Saward and Ben Oliver at The Production Exchange about their steps, successes and challenges towards creating an anti-ableist organisation following their year-long journey on the Ramps on the Moon Change Partner programme.The Production Exchange is a charity, established in 2013. They provide artists with pathways into the performing arts industry, with the hope of enabling them to forge careers that are sustainable and fulfilling. They accomplish this through two separate strands of their organisation.Firstly, they are an artist management company, representing over 90 artists, actors, directors, writers, designers, musical directors and they secure them paid employment opportunities functioning just like any other talent agency. They are also a production company - developing and producing theatre. And through that, they provide employment and skills development opportunities to a wide variety of creatives. Some who are represented by them.Thank you Penelope and Ben for being so informative and open.#TheProductionExchange #AntiAbleism #DisabilityEqualityThank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor.Michèle Taylor, is a disability equality trainer and consultant, and has been Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon since the Consortium was convened. For the 10 years, she has been supporting the partner theatres to embed disability equality and anti-ableism into their organisations and to realise their ambitions around elevating disabled people across the mainstream industry. In 2022 Michèle was honoured with an MBE For Services to Theatre and Disabled People.This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk 

Michèle talks to Mat Fraser - stage and screen actor, writer, drummer, and an anti-ableist activist. Join us for this lively, interesting and challenging podcast episode!Mat is well known for his powerful presence on both stage and screen, and is a patron of Graeae theatre company.Mat has appeared in acclaimed productions including American Horror Story, His Dark Materials, CripTales,  and Barbara Met Alan screen-based credits. Theatre credits include Beauty and the Beast and the first disabled actor to play Richard III in a professional production. Mat's work spans theatre, television, and film, often blending bold storytelling with social commentary. Beyond his creative achievements, Mat has broken ground in challenging perceptions of disability in the arts.Thank you Mat for being a brilliant guest.Thank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor.Michèle Taylor, is a disability equality trainer and consultant, and has been Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon since the Consortium was convened. For the 10 years, she has been supporting the partner theatres to embed disability equality and anti-ableism into their organisations and to realise their ambitions around elevating disabled people across the mainstream industry. In 2022 Michèle was honoured with an MBE For Services to Theatre and Disabled People.This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk 

Michèle Taylor talks to Amy Trigg, actor, writer and comedian, as well as Olivier Awards Winner in 2024 for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical for 'The Little Big Things'.Amy talks about how representation has improved greatly on the screen over the last few years - and that she is now auditioning for roles that are not specifically for disabled actors, the only option available to her a few years ago. Amy talks about her career to date, her writing as a passion of hers, and she gives us her thoughts on bringing more disabled people into 'the room' from the creation of productions to manage expectations of budgets to avoid unexpected costs for access.Thank you Amy for such a brilliant and interesting conversation.Thank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor.Michèle Taylor, is a disability equality trainer and consultant, and has been Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon since the Consortium was convened. For the 10 years, she has been supporting the partner theatres to embed disability equality and anti-ableism into their organisations and to realise their ambitions around elevating disabled people across the mainstream industry. In 2022 Michèle was honoured with an MBE For Services to Theatre and Disabled People.This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk 

Michèle talks to Zak Ford-Williams, screen and stage actor in Bridgerton (Lord Remington), The Hardacres (Harry Hardacre), Wolfe (Tyler) and The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man (Joseph Merrick).Zak knew he wanted to act at six years old, after seeing George’s Marvellous Medicine. Though he didn’t initially identify himself as disabled as a young child, he later realised how excluded he was. Stubbornness kept him going - knowing he wasn’t alone.  Zak says 'Many young disabled people dream of creating art but feel there’s no space for them'.Thank you Zak for an incredibly in-depth and informative conversation.Thank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor.Michèle Taylor, is a disability equality trainer and consultant, and has been Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon since the Consortium was convened. For the 10 years, she has been supporting the partner theatres to embed disability equality and anti-ableism into their organisations and to realise their ambitions around elevating disabled people across the mainstream industry. In 2022 Michèle was honoured with an MBE For Services to Theatre and Disabled People.This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk 

Clare Hammerton carried out the independent evaluation for the Ramps on the Moon consortium. In this episode, Michèle asks her about the challenges of evaluation (especially in a multi-partner project) as well as talking about why it’s so important and powerful. Clare puts the Ramps evaluation into the wider context  of her work around empowerment and participation and explains why it’s so important to think carefully about how you’re going to capture the data you need. Thank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor.Michèle Taylor, is a disability equality trainer and consultant, and has been Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon since the Consortium was convened. For the 10 years, she has been supporting the partner theatres to embed disability equality and anti-ableism into their organisations and to realise their ambitions around elevating disabled people across the mainstream industry. In 2022 Michèle was honoured with an MBE For Services to Theatre and Disabled People.This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk 

Ben Wilson and Aisling Gallagher have been Ramps on the Moon Agents for Change at Sheffield and Theatre Royal Stratford East respectively. They are both also independent theatre-makers.They give us a fascinating insight into what an Agent for Change does - and doesn’t do - to support organisational transformation, why being annoying, and why they have a trampoline instead of a desk. Aisling celebrates the times things happen without their having any input and Ben tackles head on one of the key criticisms of Ramps on the Moon.Thank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor.Michèle Taylor, is a disability equality trainer and consultant, and has been Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon since the Consortium was convened. For the 10 years, she has been supporting the partner theatres to embed disability equality and anti-ableism into their organisations and to realise their ambitions around elevating disabled people across the mainstream industry. In 2022 Michèle was honoured with an MBE For Services to Theatre and Disabled People.This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk 

Michèle talks to David Bellwood - Head of Access at The National TheatreMichèle and David discuss rigour around language and what it means for David to be a non-disabled person working in the area of ‘access’. David throws down the gauntlet: can he and Michèle find a word that can usefully replace ‘access’ by the end of the episode? They explore vulnerability and transparency as important values of his work.Thank you to David for your time!Thank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor.Michèle Taylor, is a disability equality trainer and consultant, and has been Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon since the Consortium was convened. For the 10 years, she has been supporting the partner theatres to embed disability equality and anti-ableism into their organisations and to realise their ambitions around elevating disabled people across the mainstream industry. In 2022 Michèle was honoured with an MBE For Services to Theatre and Disabled People.This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk 

Eleanor Lang and Sean Brooks are from Theatre Royal Stratford East. Eleanor is Executive Director and Sean is Deputy Producer and a freelance producer.Michèle asks the 64 million dollar question, “What is a Producer, anyway?” and gets a great answer in which Eleanor and Sean unpack the process. They discuss the growing recognition in the industry of the importance of having early conversations about what everyone needs to do their best work, and Sean shares his advice for creating the best kind of rehearsal room - before getting anarchic when he talks about dismantling structures.Thank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor.Michèle Taylor, is a disability equality trainer and consultant, and has been Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon since the Consortium was convened. For the 10 years, she has been supporting the partner theatres to embed disability equality and anti-ableism into their organisations and to realise their ambitions around elevating disabled people across the mainstream industry. In 2022 Michèle was honoured with an MBE For Services to Theatre and Disabled People.This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk 

Amongst other things, Andrew Miller is the UK Arts Access Champion and a broadcaster and cultural consultant and commentator with an impressive CV. In this episode, Michèle asks Andrew about his career so far, and the ‘accidents and disappointments’ that got him to where he is now. Andrew talks about the moments of change that he’s been a part of, the importance of representation and what’s needed for sustaining change. This is a wide-ranging discussion in which Andrew shares his perspective on the cultural sector, informed by his professional and personal experience .Thank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor.Michèle Taylor, is a disability equality trainer and consultant, and has been Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon since the Consortium was convened. For the 10 years, she has been supporting the partner theatres to embed disability equality and anti-ableism into their organisations and to realise their ambitions around elevating disabled people across the mainstream industry. In 2022 Michèle was honoured with an MBE For Services to Theatre and Disabled People.This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk 

Disability equality leader, Michèle Taylor invites Amy Leach, Deputy Artistic Director at Leeds Playhouse to talk about her work as a director and how her approach has grown as a result of working with disabled and deaf performers. Amy talks about ‘packing on the muscle’ as a director, goosebumps moments, the team you might expect to find in a Ramps rehearsal room, and her advice to ‘just put it in the brochure’.!Amy Leach is Deputy Artistic Director at Leeds Playhouse. She directed the Ramps co-production of Oliver Twist in 2020 which she then reworked into a film which can now be found on the National Theatre At Home streaming service.Thank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor.Michèle Taylor, is a disability equality trainer and consultant, and has been Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon since the Consortium was convened. For the 10 years, she has been supporting the partner theatres to embed disability equality and anti-ableism into their organisations and to realise their ambitions around elevating disabled people across the mainstream industry. In 2022 Michèle was honoured with an MBE For Services to Theatre and Disabled People.This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk 

Disability equality expert, Michèle Taylor, talks to Dan Bates, former chief executive of The Crucible, Sheffield Playhouse and the Sheffield Lyceum.... asking him how he started to make it happen as a Ramps on the Moon partner.excited to be a part of Ramps on the Moon, the irony of scheduling the first Ramps meeting in a room with all sorts of access challenges, and how his learning has changed his practice as a cultural leader, and the importance of care and attention.Dan Bates is Executive Director of Bradford City of Culture 2025 and until November 2022 was Chief Executive of Sheffield Theatres, a founding member of Ramps on the Moon.Thank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor.Michèle Taylor, is a disability equality trainer and consultant, and has been Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon since the Consortium was convened. For the 10 years, she has been supporting the partner theatres to embed disability equality and anti-ableism into their organisations and to realise their ambitions around elevating disabled people across the mainstream industry. In 2022 Michèle was honoured with an MBE For Services to Theatre and Disabled People.This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk 

Welcome to the Ramps on the Moon Podcast.In this first episode, Anti-Ableist leader, Michèle Taylor invites Sarah Holmes into the recording studio to talk about how Ramps first started; from conception in 2015 to present day.Meeting together for the first time in a London train station café they both knew something very positive and exciting was about to happen in the theatre industry.Listen to their story of how they made things happen; the challenges, the learning and the joys - and whether they are, alongside many theatre partners, really 'changing the world'!Sarah Holmes is an independent theatre consultant and was Chief Executive of the New Wolsey Theatre until June 2022; she was also the key founding partner of Ramps on the Moon. Sarah was awarded ‘Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre Award’ by UK Theatres in 2023.Thank you for listening. For further information and to get in touch with us please visit our website HERE.Ramps on the Moon Podcast is hosted by Michèle Taylor.Michèle Taylor, is a disability equality trainer and consultant, and has been Director for Change for Ramps on the Moon since the Consortium was convened. For the 10 years, she has been supporting the partner theatres to embed disability equality and anti-ableism into their organisations and to realise their ambitions around elevating disabled people across the mainstream industry. In 2022 Michèle was honoured with an MBE For Services to Theatre and Disabled People.This podcast is produced and managed by Podtalk.co.uk