I cannot even begin to gush enough. I have just come back from watching both of David’s performances, and I am completely blown away. To say he knocked it out of the park is not even close to how well it went. I was near tears myself, the kids were attentive, thoughtful, reactive, watchful, smiling, rapt throughout the whole performance, both age groups. The questions afterward from the kids proved that they paid attention, and were considering all he brought to their attention. He reinforced the character education that currently is on going in the school, and highlighted to the staff with the comments and questions they presented that we are making headway in opening the minds of their generation. I had teachers all turn to me to exclaim how wonderful they thought he was. I actually had a teacher seek me out on my way out of the building, so she could share with me how she is just so touched, that she has no words to describe how much it meant to her. I cannot thank you enough for having David in your repertoire of performances. You have always had high quality, and David is a shining star.
Artist: David Harrell
Art Form(s): Theater
Artist Statement
The goal of my work is to use my story to encourage audiences to recognize the universality of our shared experience and be a catalyst for discussion about broader themes of diversity and inclusion. I relish the opportunity to show that disability is not a heroic obstacle to overcome but a unique aspect of one’s life. Through my work I entertain, enlighten, and educate children to not be defined by limitation, and I help them learn the valuable lessons of acceptance and how to not let circumstances peel away the core of who they are as human beings.
Artist Bio
David Harrell is an international award–winning actor, speaker, and disability advocate residing in New York City. Most recently he performed Off- Broadway in the New York Times Critic’s Pick The Healing by Samuel D. Hunter. His short film Lefty & Loosey won Best Film in the 2016 Disability Film Challenge and Best International Actor in the 2016 Focus on Ability Film Festival in Sydney, Australia.
His award-winning solo plays have entertained audiences around the world. He holds a BFA from the University of Southern Mississippi and a MFA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in theatre performance.
