Bendigo Venues & Events is preparing to stage a thought-provoking performance that will explore one woman’s experience of ability and disability.
Personal – by Jodee Mundy is the story of Mundy who grew up in a family where everyone was deaf but her.
Mundy didn’t realise being deaf meant not being able to hear, until she became lost in Kmart at five years old and none of her family came to meet her at the front desk after repeated announcements over the loudspeaker.
Mundy’s ground-breaking solo performance unpacks the concept of ‘disability’ through the eyes of her childhood self, and explores her role as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adult) who had to pave the way for her family as an interpreter and conduit to navigating society.
Personal – by Jodee Mundy is presented in English and Auslan for audiences who hear or who are deaf.
Manager Bendigo Venues & Events Julie Amos said Personal – by Jodee Mundy was a smart, touching work that artfully explored how people perceive one another.
“We are thrilled to present this innovative solo performance by Jodee Mundy. It is an extraordinary work that not only exemplifies artistic excellence but also strongly aligns with our commitment to fostering a vibrant, creative and fair community,” Ms Amos said.
“Staging this performance supports the delivery of key outcomes in the Council Plan and Healthy Greater Bendigo Public Health and Wellbeing Plan by showcasing our commitment to creating safe and welcoming spaces where all people can participate in all aspects of community life.”
Personal – by Jodee Mundy is part performance, part multimedia, animation and live art, and has been nominated for four Green Room Awards, a Helpmann Award and a UK Whicker Award.
Mundy said she continued to be baffled as to why sign language was seen as less than being able to speak.
“Auslan is my native language and English is my second. As someone who grew up in a culturally and linguistically diverse community and also perceived as having a disability, there’s a lot of power and currency in being able to speak more than there is in being able to sign; yet our human potential is huge when people utilise all the ways we can communicate,” she said.
Personal – by Jodee Mundy is on Wednesday October 4, 7.30pm at The Capital.
Tickets: gotix.com.au or phone 5434 6100
