Diversity Fellow Project, Jorrell Watkins
Meet Us At The Horizon
Meet Us At The Horizon Poster (492 K) Download
Meet Us At The Horizon Play and Discussion Guide (703 K) Download
Project Narrative
1. Please describe your activities during your Fellowship experience. Describe your final capstone project(s).
"Meet Us at the Horizon" is a full-length disability-inclusive theater play set in a small, community-focused grocery store. The play is a comedy, although topics on employment discrimination, marginalization, diversity, race, and gender emerge throughout. My experiences in fieldwork, research, and community outreach led to the development of this play. I met with employment specialists and learned about job coaching, and transition services available for individuals with disabilities. In my research, I was struck by 14(c) and the current policies on subminimum wage. Through my community outreach, I realized that using my talents as a writer/artist would best serve in increasing awareness of the issues of employment discrimination/marginalization that I wanted to discuss. The play was professionally produced and directed by Combined Efforts Theater Company, of Iowa City, IA.
2. Who did your project inform, help, influence or impact? (UCEDD, individual, community, state) How?
The theater is a powerful vehicle to deliver messages regarding our society, and culture to a large, diverse group of people. My project impacted the Iowa UCEDD, communities throughout the Iowa City area, and individuals with/without disabilities. The Iowa UCEDD, Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD), formed a new partnership with Combined Efforts Theater Co. in producing my disability-inclusive play. Combined Efforts produced, cast, and directed the play, while CDD provided audio hearing services for the world premiere of "Meet Us at the Horizon" on September 27th, 2019. Through the CDD, we hired a videographer to film and edit the play premiere; the film (and script) was posted on the AUCD website so that people beyond the Iowa City area can watch and enjoy the play. Lastly, most of the actors cast in the play are individuals with disabilities. The play was an opportunity for all the actors, and me as a playwright, to take a stand on the issue of employment discrimination. On Saturday, September 28th, we had a talkback discussion after the third showing of the play. Many of the actors and audience members reflected on how the play spoke to their experiences and/or illuminated things about the workforce that were previously unnoticed. For example, one audience member, along with one actor, was struck by the role of "Joel" a Black male, Frozen associate, who was formerly incarcerated. Both the audience member and actor noticed the growth and healing that playing/seeing that role on stage allowed for them (and everyone).
3. Why did you choose to work on that project(s)?
I wanted to produce a capstone project that people from diverse backgrounds within and outside the field of disability studies could engage with. Employment is a universal experience. The grocery store was the ideal place for me to focus on because it (1) is a frequent employer of individuals with disabilities, (2) it is an essential place for communities to come to, shop, and build with their community members. By creating a play/performance, I drew more attention to the issues of employment discrimination/marginalization of individuals with disabilities, without making the work didactic or overtly imposing its agenda.
4. What did you gain from being a Diversity Fellow?
My experience as a Diversity Fellow increased my knowledge and understanding of the lives and experiences of individuals with disabilities. Prior to the fellowship, I worked as a k-12 educator and a Reentry case manager. I did my work well, but I did not feel adequately trained to best serve and support the individuals with disabilities I met in schools and jails. I am finishing this fellowship with more confidence, and experience doing disability-inclusive work. I am more knowledgeable about the history of disability in the United States, and the current laws, and policies that are directly related to the experiences of individuals with disabilities. Now, I'm noticing how increasingly aware I am becoming of everyday occurrences in society that are not disability-inclusive or mindful. I am motivated and actively taking steps to raise awareness about and make progress on disability issues.
5. How will this experience impact your education or career decisions?
Moving forward, I want to make all the creative work I produce disability-inclusive/responsive. I plan to collaborate with theater companies and artists who are doing disability-inclusive work. I also, want to study and learn from educators experienced in disability-inclusive pedagogies to make the classrooms/community centers I teach in disability-inclusive/responsive. My ultimate career goal is to create a peace/arts program that serves individuals with disabilities, youth of color, and individuals formerly, and/or currently incarcerated.
6. What are your future goals? Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
My future goals are to (1) publish a full-length collection of poetry, (2) devote to a lifetime of writing, and (3) travel across the world and build with fellow leaders, artists, educators, and activists. In five years, I see myself completing my goal of finishing my 1st and 2nd collection of poetry. I also will be settling in the community that I plan to launch my peace/arts program.
7. What recommendations do you have for other fellows?
Jump right in. Especially, if you haven't worked in the field of disability studies prior to starting your fellowship. I learned a lot by asking questions, sitting in on meetings, and talking to people at my UCEDD about their work and experiences. Also, take part in as many collaborative activities you can; those experiences will enrich your fellowship and make your capstone project more fulfilling.