Neurodiversity takes centre stage

Theatre is a valuable tool for encouraging empathy. A new production aims to provide neurotypical audiences with insights into living with autism.
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Nicola Bowman in Citizen Theatre & A_tistic’s Alexithymia. Photo credit: Pippa Samaya.

Alexithymia (pronounced ‘al-ex-ee-thigh-me-ah’) is experienced by approximately 85% of people on the autism spectrum, and up to 10% of the world’s total population.

‘It is the inability to put words to felt emotions,’ said playwright Tom Middleditch, the Artistic Director of independent theatre company A_tistic and the author of the play, Alexithymia.  

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Richard Watts is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM, and serves as the Chair of La Mama Theatre's volunteer Committee of Management. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, and was awarded the status of Melbourne Fringe Living Legend in 2017. In 2020 he was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize. Most recently, Richard was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Green Room Awards Association in June 2021. Follow him on Twitter: @richardthewatts