ADAPT THE STAGE

Hi, I’m Gray Lancaster.

I am a disabled theatre practitioner, musician, artist, photographer, dancer, and advocate living with Stiff Person Syndrome. I hold a BA in Acting and double minors in Dance and Musical Theatre that I earned while healthy and able-bodied; I never could have imagined the path my life would take since then.

While grappling with an undiagnosed chronic illness during a global pandemic, I watched helplessly as my mobility, voice, and confidence were slowly stripped away. Years went by without treatment, and I did everything I could to mask my struggles. I was so desperate to keep performing as a singer in cover bands that I pushed myself beyond my limit on a regular basis. Pride carried me through bouts of debilitating pain that often left me immobile for days.

Over time, I’ve learned to set aside that pride and embrace mobility aids—first I donned cane, then forearm crutches, a rollator, and now a wheelchair. While I’ve continued performing in live music, the itch to return to my first love was too strong to ignore. I finally went to my first audition and realized instantly that the physical demands of returning to the theatre world would prove to be far more challenging.

The arts hold the extraordinary power to transcend barriers, ignite imaginations, and connect humanity. Yet for far too long, systemic obstacles have excluded disabled individuals from fully experiencing and contributing to theatre. That’s why I founded Adapt the Stage: to ensure all performers have equal access, from the audition room to the rehearsal hall, dressing rooms, and, finally, the stage.

I performed for the first time in my wheelchair in the Clarence Brown Theatre’s production of Kinky Boots. Not only was I the CBT’s first wheelchair user to perform there—I was the first wheelchair user to perform in Kinky Boots, too. I had to advocate for myself at many turns and realized that I wasn’t just advocating for myself, I was advocating for other performers with disabilities who would come through that same theatre and thus, Adapt the Stage began.

My mission began with a sole focus on helping theatres and venues all over the nation become accessible for performers. It’s quite the task in and of itself, but through my journey with chronic illness, I’ve realized that accessibility challenges extend far beyond the theatre. They exist everywhere, woven into the fabric of society. Adapt the Stage believes accessibility isn’t a privilege, kindness, or a courtesy—it’s a fundamental human right.

Our mission is simple yet transformative: when we Adapt the Stage, we Adapt the World. Together, Adapt the Stage aims to create a world where people of all abilities can live full, uninhibited lives, starting with the arts. Imagine venues where no seat is out of reach, stages where every performer can shine—a world that resonates and radiates inclusivity. Through collaboration, innovation, and advocacy, we are dismantling the barriers that perpetuate exclusion and reimagining spaces where everyone can not only witness but participate in the magic of the arts—and of life.

The world may not know it yet but we are still here, we are still capable, and we still have so much to offer. I can still dance Fosse, I can still sing Celine, I can still make someone smile; it may look and sound different than before but it is a truth no person and no disability can ever take truly from me. 

Adapt the Stage is more than a nonprofit; it’s a movement. A movement to reframe accessibility as possibility, to empower individuals, and to challenge the status quo. As William Shakespeare famously said, “All the world’s a stage.” Together, let’s make it an accessible one.

Looking for a Disability Consultant to advise in your venue, rehearsal, or upcoming production? Let’s work together!

As both a performer and outside consultant, I’ve worked with regional theatres, community theatres, live music venues, dance instructors, and more to provide Disability and Inclusivity Workshops, speaking engagements, accessibility inspections, and more. I would love to visit with you to help ensure your space is safe for all. Contact me via email at gray@littlegraysea.com to begin our collaboration! Thank you for making the arts and the world a better one.