Rehearsal of the inclusive play “Shire-Sherine”. Inclusive theater in Kyrgyzstan: business lady on stage Culture and education
A unique inclusive play featuring 12 women with disabilities was shown in Kyrgyzstan in December. Each of them shared their story of overcoming barriers associated with disability and gender discrimination. One of the heroines is entrepreneur Nishana Zheenalieva.
“Creativity in Everything”
Our heroine is a person with boundless energy and a thirst for knowledge. She runs her own business – a small cafe, actively participates in various interest groups and raises a son. There is a place for art in her everyday life: Nishana draws, plays the piano, and joined the club of businessmen and active people. Thanks to one of the goals of this club, she decided to open a cafe, and then decided to go on stage.
“No Doubts”
Nishana accepted the invitation to take part in the play without hesitation. The creative environment has always been close to her: in the past, she was the deputy director of the theater and often participated in creative initiatives.
“I have always looked for a place for creative expression, and this inclusive play project was a great opportunity,” Nishana shares.
She never doubted her abilities: “My mother raised me like that. She always said: “You are ordinary, you can do it, don’t pay attention to your limitations. Act, try, open up!” I went to an ordinary school, I always had ordinary friends. No one fussed over me, and so I wasn’t used to doubting myself».
«New Acquaintances»
Rehearsals are a source of inspiration for Nishana. She admits that what she likes most is the atmosphere of interaction with the participants and the director. «Each girl is unique and unusual. They are all so interesting that you want to communicate with them again and again», — she says.
Working with people with different types of disabilities was a new experience for her: «Before this, I had not really interacted with people with other disabilities. This is a new experience for me, and I feel comfortable among them. We are all on the same wavelength».
Support is felt not only from the participants, but also from the director: «She is very smart and came up with a cool thing. She asked us to close our eyes and try to move blindly. It was scary, but it really helped us understand people with sensory disabilities, then we covered our ears and tried to talk. These trainings brought us closer and allowed us to vibrate on the same wavelength».
«A Place of Power and Inspiration»
For a businesswoman who is used to endlessly solving work-related issues, participating in an inclusive performance became a way to relieve emotional stress. «Running a business is not easy. It is constant stress and responsibility. The theater has become a place of relaxation for me. Here I feel like myself», she shares.
And although she is used to managing and making decisions, on stage Nishana feels a special freedom: «I like being on stage. I don’t know yet what I’ll feel when I see a full audience, but I like being an actress. I don’t want to “play a role”, I want to tell and show something important. It’s great to be able to show other people your life, your experiences!»
“The main message: don’t be afraid”
The heroine is sure that participating in the play is an opportunity not only to open up to herself, but also to convey an important message to the audience: “Don’t be afraid to open up, don’t be afraid to show yourself, don’t be afraid to develop. Start your own business, go on stage, play the piano, participate in the theater! Even if you don’t know how, try. There are no limits, all the limits are in our heads. I have friends who are ready to help, and I am sure that everyone has someone who will support them. The main thing is to act and not be afraid! »
When Nishana is asked what she wants the audience to feel while watching this performance, her answer is simple: «I want them to understand that we are the same as them. It is interesting to communicate with us, we are interested in communicating with them. We have the same dreams, desires and aspirations».
Nishana emphasizes that she has never felt limited, but she knows that many other people with disabilities face difficulties: «I have always been in society, but I know that it is difficult for many people. I want the audience to see and understand this».
She admits that she wants to continue participating in theater projects. «I want to go on stage again and again. I want to reveal my creative abilities and inner talents again and again», she says.
In her opinion, in order for more people with disabilities to be able to reveal their talents, it is important to support them at the development stage: «My mother always supported me and said: “You can do it, go ahead, act.” I would like to say the same to everyone».
UNDP Support
The production of the inclusive play “Shire-Sherine” took place with the support of UNDP in the Kyrgyz Republic as part of the 16-day activism campaign “Elimination of gender-based violence against women and girls” and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with the aim of raising public awareness and countering intersectional discrimination based on gender and disability.