Mickey Rowe

Last updated
Mickey Rowe
BornAugust 19, 1988
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Occupation(s)Author, actor, and speaker
Known forFirst autistic actor to play the lead role in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Autistic and legally blind author of the award-winning book Fearlessly Different. Founding Artistic Director of the National Disability Theatre.
SpouseHelen Marion-Rowe
Website https://mickeyrowe.com/

Mickey Rowe is an American autistic and legally blind author of the award-winning book Fearlessly Different: An Autistic Actor's Journey to Broadway's Biggest Stage [1] [2] [3] [4] and the first autistic actor to play the lead role in the play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. [5] [6] [7] [8] He was the Founding Artistic Director of the National Disability Theatre. [9] [10]

Contents

Biography

Mickey grew up in Seattle and studied drama at the University of Washington. [11] He performed as an actor at the Gershwin Theater, Syracuse Stage and Indiana Repertory Theatre, [12] [13] he is also a public speaker [14] and was the founding artistic director of National Disability Theatre. [11] [15] [9] [10]

Mickey is the first autistic actor to have played Christopher Boone in the play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in 2017 [8] [5] This made Mickey one of the first openly autistic actors to play an autistic character. [16] He landed the title role in the play Amadeus. [13] [17]

He wrote the award-winning book Fearlessly Different: An Autistic Actor's Journey to Broadway's Biggest Stage. [1] [2] [3] [11] [18]

Mickey and his wife Helen provide DEIA trainings and workshops for companies including Nordstrom, Pfizer, BrightHouse, Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York City Ballet. [12]

Awards

D-30 Disability Impact List honoree 2022 (incredible leaders with disabilities). [19]

LitHubs Best Audio Books of April. [20]

AudioFile's Earphone Award Winner for best Audio Book. [21]

Pathfinder Award for highest alumni honor in 2021. [22]

Syracuse Area Live Theater (SALT) Award for Leading Actor in a Play in 2018. [23]

Winner of the 2017 Christopher Reeve Scholarship, Media Access Awards. [24]

Stage Directors and Choreographers Society's (SDC) Top Ten “Standout Moments” recognition 2017–2018. [25]

Related Research Articles

<i>Rain Man</i> 1988 film directed by Barry Levinson

Rain Man is a 1988 American road comedy-drama film directed by Barry Levinson and written by Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass. It tells the story of abrasive, selfish, young wheeler-dealer Charlie Babbitt, who discovers that his estranged father has died and bequeathed virtually all of his multimillion-dollar estate to his other son, Raymond, an autistic savant of whose existence Charlie was unaware. Charlie is left with only his father's beloved vintage car and rosebushes. Valeria Golino also stars as Charlie's girlfriend, Susanna. Morrow created the character of Raymond after meeting Kim Peek, a real-life savant; his characterization was based on both Peek and Bill Sackter, a good friend of Morrow who was the subject of Bill, an earlier film that Morrow wrote.

<i>The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time</i> 2003 mystery novel by Mark Haddon

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a 2003 mystery novel by British writer Mark Haddon. Its title refers to an observation by the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes in the 1892 short story "The Adventure of Silver Blaze". Haddon and The Curious Incident won the Whitbread Book Awards for Best Novel and Book of the Year, the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book, and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. Unusually, it was published simultaneously in separate editions for adults and children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Controversies in autism</span> Controversies about both the cause of autism and the nature of the diagnoses themselves

Diagnoses of autism have become more frequent since the 1980s, which has led to various controversies about both the cause of autism and the nature of the diagnoses themselves. Whether autism has mainly a genetic or developmental cause, and the degree of coincidence between autism and intellectual disability, are all matters of current scientific controversy as well as inquiry. There is also more sociopolitical debate as to whether autism should be considered a disability on its own.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wade McCollum</span> American actor

Wade McCollum is an American film actor, stage actor and composer/musician.

The Theatre Development Fund (TDF) is a not-for-profit performing arts service organization in New York City. Created in 1968 to help an ailing New York theatre industry, TDF has grown into the nation's largest performing arts nonprofit, providing support to more than 900 plays and musicals and returning upwards of $1.5 billion in revenue to thousands of Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway music and dance productions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autistic art</span> Art created by autistic artists to capture the autistic experience

Autistic art is artwork created by autistic artists that captures or conveys a variety of autistic experiences. According to a 2021 article in Cognitive Processing, autistic artists with improved linguistic and communication skills often show a greater degree of originality and attention to detail than their neurotypical counterparts, with a positive correlation between artistic talent and high linguistic functioning. Autistic art is often considered outsider art. Art by autistic artists has long been shown in separate venues from artists without disabilities. The works of some autistic artists have featured in art publications and documentaries and been exhibited in mainstream galleries. Although autistic artists seldom received formal art education in the past, recent inclusivity initiatives have made it easier for autistic artists to get a formal college education. The Aspergers/Autism Network's AANE Artist Collaborative is an example of an art organization for autistic adults.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Societal and cultural aspects of autism</span>

Societal and cultural aspects of autism or sociology of autism come into play with recognition of autism, approaches to its support services and therapies, and how autism affects the definition of personhood. The autistic community is divided primarily into two camps; the autism rights movement and the pathology paradigm. The pathology paradigm advocates for supporting research into therapies, treatments, and/or a cure to help minimize or remove autistic traits, seeing treatment as vital to help individuals with autism, while the neurodiversity movement believes autism should be seen as a different way of being and advocates against a cure and interventions that focus on normalization, seeing it as trying to exterminate autistic people and their individuality. Both are controversial in autism communities and advocacy which has led to significant infighting between these two camps. While the dominant paradigm is the pathology paradigm and is followed largely by autism research and scientific communities, the neurodiversity movement is highly popular among most autistic people, within autism advocacy, autism rights organizations, and related neurodiversity approaches have been rapidly growing and applied in the autism research field in the last few years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stage Directors and Choreographers Society</span>

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), formerly known as Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SDC), is an independent national labor union established in 1959, representing theatrical directors and choreographers working on Broadway, National Tours, Off-Broadway, and in various resident, regional, and stock theatres throughout the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Wolsey Theatre</span> Theatre in Ipswich, England

The New Wolsey Theatre is a producing theatre with a café & bar in Ipswich, Suffolk. It is a midsized regional theatre, with a seating capacity of 400.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disability in the arts</span> Inclusive practices involving disability

Disability in the arts is an aspect within various arts disciplines of inclusive practices involving disability. It manifests itself in the output and mission of some stage and modern dance performing-arts companies, and as the subject matter of individual works of art, such as the work of specific painters and those who draw.

Autism-friendly means being aware of social engagement and environmental factors affecting people on the autism spectrum, with modifications to communication methods and physical space to better suit individual's unique and special needs.

<i>The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time</i> (play) Play by Simon Stephens, adapted from the novel

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a play by Simon Stephens based on the novel of the same name by Mark Haddon. During its premiere run, the play tied the record for winning the most Olivier Awards (seven), including Best New Play at the 2013 ceremony. The play is a National Theatre Production, in association with Frantic Assembly, who specialised in the movement direction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rakhee Thakrar</span> English actress

Rakhee Thakrar is an English actress. She is known for her roles as Shabnam Masood in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders (2014–2016) and Emily Sands in the Netflix comedy-drama Sex Education (2019–2023). She also voices the Eighth Doctor's companion Bliss in Big Finish's Doctor Who: The Time War audio dramas.

<i>How to Dance in Ohio</i> 2015 American film

How to Dance in Ohio is a 2015 American documentary film directed by Alexandra Shiva. The film follows a group of autistic young adults in Columbus, Ohio preparing for their first spring formal. With guidance from their group counselor, Dr. Emilio Amigo, the group spends 12 weeks practicing their social skills in preparation for the dance. HBO Documentary Films acquired television rights to the film eleven days before its world premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. The film premiered on HBO on October 26, 2015. Three young women are the main subjects of the documentary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Sharp</span> English actor (born 1989)

Alexander Ian Sharp is an English actor. He is known for originating the role of Christopher Boone in the Broadway production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. He is also known to a wider audience as Will Downing in 3 Body Problem.

Discrimination against autistic people is the discrimination, persecution, and oppression that autistic people have been subjected to. Discrimination against autistic people is a form of ableism.

<i>Atypical</i> 2017 American comedy-drama television series

Atypical is an American comedy-drama television series created by Robia Rashid for Netflix. The series takes place in Connecticut, and focuses on the life of 18-year-old Samuel "Sam" Gardner, who is on the autism spectrum. The first season was released on August 11, 2017, consisting of eight episodes. The 10-episode second season was released on September 7, 2018. In October 2018, the series was renewed for a third season of ten episodes, which was released on November 1, 2019. In February 2020, it was renewed for a fourth and final season, which premiered on July 9, 2021.

<i>All in a Row</i> Play by Alex Oates

All in a Row Live is a play by Alex Oates about a family with an 11-year-old child on the autism spectrum. The play explores the experiences of the parents of a nonverbal, sometimes violent, autistic boy and the emotions that they experience on the night before he is taken to a residential school for children with disabilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myles Frost</span> American actor (born 1999)

Myles Frost is an American actor, singer, songwriter, music producer and dancer. He won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Michael Jackson in the Broadway production of MJ the Musical and received a Grammy Award nomination for the cast recording.

References

  1. 1 2 "Fearlessly Different: An Autistic Actor's Journey to Broadway's Biggest Stage by Mickey Rowe". www.publishersweekly.com. 2022-03-15. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  2. 1 2 "Q&A With Mickey Rowe, Fearlessly Different". We Need Diverse Books. 2022-03-15. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  3. 1 2 "Fearlessly Different". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  4. ""Be fearless in pursuit of your goals. Be courageous in the pursuit of what you know is right."". www.kuow.org. 2022-03-30. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  5. 1 2 Collins-Hughes, Laura (2017-11-06). "The World Really Is a Stage, Scripts and All, to an Actor With Autism". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  6. "I May Be Autistic, But I'm Not A Bad Actor, No Matter What Sia Says". HuffPost. 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2022-06-26.
  7. "Finally, An Actor With Autism Is Starring In This Iconic Play". HuffPost. 2017-05-10. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  8. 1 2 Doyle, Nancy. "A Lesson In Inclusive Recruitment From Pixar". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-06-26.
  9. 1 2 Wild, Stephi. "Ford Foundation Gifts $50,000 To National Disability Theatre". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  10. 1 2 "Spotlight on the National Disability Theatre". www.arts.gov. 6 February 2019. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  11. 1 2 3 "Actor Mickey Rowe, '11, puts autism in the spotlight". UW Magazine — University of Washington Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  12. 1 2 Wild, Stephi. "HowlRound Theatre Commons Announces Publication of a New Anthology". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  13. 1 2 Teachout, Terry (2020-12-13). "Opinion | The Best Theater of 2020: With Broadway Dark Due to Covid-19, an At-Home Curtain Call". Wall Street Journal. ISSN   0099-9660 . Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  14. "Mickey Rowe: An Autistic Broadway Actor's Journey & Insights". Top Education Speakers Bureau. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  15. "Autistic Actor and Author Mickey Rowe Fights Ableism On and Off Stage". Observer. 2022-04-28. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  16. Rozsa, Matthew (2017-05-16). "For once, an autistic role will be played by an autistic actor". Salon. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  17. "Mickey Rowe - Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures" . Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  18. "Actor and Activist Mickey Rowe on Taking Pride in Our Differences". Audible Blog. Retrieved 2022-08-23.
  19. "D-30 DISABILITY IMPACT LIST". Diversability. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  20. "AudioFile's Best Audiobooks of April". Literary Hub. 2022-04-27. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  21. "FEARLESSLY DIFFERENT by Mickey Rowe Read by Mickey Rowe | Audiobook Review". AudioFile Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-22.
  22. "Pathfinder Award recipients to receive district's highest alumni honor". Mercer Island Reporter. 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  23. "Winners! Laughs, tears, more highlight 2018 SALT Awards ceremony". Syracuse New Times. 14 November 2018.
  24. Oweis, Zein (2017-11-19). "Mickey Rowe Awarded for Becoming First Actor with Autism to Perform in The Curious Incident of the Dog in The Night-Time". Respect Ability. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  25. "SDC Announces 2017-2018 Top Ten "Standout Moments" | Stage Directors and Choreographers Society". 16 October 2018. Retrieved 2022-08-18.