For me acting is all about being creative. I love the thrill of opening up a new script and deciding how to bring a character to life. I also love the dynamic of working with other actors and trying to make a show as good as it possibly can be. For the last four years I have worked as an actor and have been very surprised at the types of roles I have had. As a young guy who uses a wheelchair I expected to play ‘patient number 1’ in many different medical dramas, but still have not done a medical drama. I am sure my time will come as it does with every actor but I am really pleased with the types of roles I have played.

Over the last four years I have really seen a shift in not only the quantity of parts, but the quality. Although in saying that I do think that more parts could be written for disabled artists, or if there is no reason why a disabled person could not play a part in a Play/Film/TV show then why not cast someone with a disability?

The ‘Don’t Play me Pay’ me campaign has really highlighted that using a non disabled person for disabled roles puts the increase of quantity and quality of parts in jeopardy. Using a disabled artist and working with them moulding the character and using their insight can produce a better more realistic and more representative portrayal of Disability. All actors regardless of Gender/Race/Disability need to be able to build skills and grow as a performer.

A non disabled artist in a disabled role is a huge waste, a waste of potential to support the career of a disabled artist. I understand the need to use a “name” within a production to draw in an audience and to attract funding in order for a production to be possible. But supporting new, fresh talent is the only way that we are ever going to get to a point where someone with a Disability is a “name”.

Lizzy’s story is slightly different to mine and she has faced different challenges to the challenges I have faced but I like the fact that “Don’t pay me Play me” gets a discussion going. For me the strength of this campaign is encouraging young Disabled people to follow in Lizzy’s footsteps and encouraging the industry to draw upon that talent. 

David Proud can be found on Twitter @prouddavid