Introducing Jenn Boulay
Jenn Boulay is an emerging interdisciplinary performance artist/creator, playwright, performer, singer-songwriter, musician, theatre reviewer, sound artist, and scholar. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto in Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies, and Critical Studies in Equity and Solidarity. Jenn is completing her graduate diploma in Communication Studies at Concordia University and, in September, she will be beginning her MA in September at Concordia in media studies. Her current research project examines the gaps/absence of disability theatre (practice and scholarship) in Eastern Canada, focusing on Québec and Atlantic Canada, compared to Western Canada. Jenn’s current research interests include intersectional identity politics (visibility, and non-visibility), disability studies/theatre, theatre, theatrical clown, and finding ways to make contemporary theatre more accessible to performers and audiences. You can find her creative and academic work published in Feminist Space Camp Magazine, Knots: An Undergraduate Journal of Disability Studies (Knots), Theatre Research in Canada (TRiC), Canadian Theatre Review (CTR), and UC Magazine. She is an editor of the forthcoming issue of Knots.
Please tell us a bit about yourself (personal, academic background, and current profession)
I am an interdisciplinary artist, playwright musician, songwriter, visual artist, multimedia artist, filmmaker, sound artist, and scholar. I identify as a disabled person of colour and a lot of my artistic practice is done in the disability arts community. I completed my undergraduate degree in Drama, Theatre, and Performing Studies as well as Critical Studies in Equity and Solidarity. Throughout my studies, my work often intersected with disability studies and performance studies in various ways.
During my undergraduate degree, I had the opportunity to work as a research assistant with Dr. Anne McGuire for Knots: An Undergraduate Journal of Disability Studies. Initially joining as a peer reviewer and contributor, I am currently serving as a co-editor responsible for editing the last two issues of Knots. I have also been publishing my work in theatre research in Canada including the Canadian Theatre Review, and Feminist Space Magazine.
At the moment I am a student at Concordia in Montreal, in the process of applying for my MA in Media Studies. My research focuses on Canadian disability theatre in Montreal, aiming to understand the reasons behind the large disparity between Quebec and Western Canada, with the latter having a stronger presence in this field.
What drew you to CSES?
It was purely accidental that I ended up in CSES. I had switched from the UTSC campus, it was a former professor of mine who introduced me to Disability Studies. They mentioned that I may be interested in enrolling in CSE241: Introduction to Disability Studies. The course played a crucial role in my decision to pursue the program further. For the first time, I felt a sense of representation in my academic work, and it became a very important part of my identity. Reading the works of scholars who shared experiences with me was a lightbulb moment that allowed me to fully embrace who I am. It served as a reminder that there was no need to hide. The sense of community fostered within the CSES program captivated me, and I craved more, leading me to continue my studies in this field.
Tell us about the work that you do. How has CSES/ES influenced your academic, professional, and/or personal journey? What are some accomplishments or achievements that you are most proud of?
CSES is the reason I am where I am today. It is the glue that held me together during difficult times when I had to confront ableism throughout my undergraduate studies. The program has empowered me to call out and call in inequities within academia and advocate for change. I served on the board of Students for Barrier-Free Access for four years, and CSES provided me with the confidence to carry out the work I am currently engaged in, while also aiding my personal and academic self-discovery. I ended up being on the board for students for barrier-free access for four years, and the program gave me the confidence to do the work I’m doing as well as find myself personally and academically. CSES has allowed me to push the boundaries of what is traditionally considered academic. During my time in the program, I appreciated the opportunity to engage in discussions on accessibility with professors who sought my insights on making their courses more accessible.
Every aspect of my work bears the mark of CSES, it has become an integral part of my voice when advocating for change. For example, one of my plays evolved from a course paper I wrote in a Disability Studies course within the CSES program. I have been trying to incorporate a balance between art and theory. One of my proudest accomplishments is graduating from my undergraduate program last year which took me about eight years to complete. I also take immense pride in organizing a disability arts workshop in the Drama department. Nonetheless, I am very proud to continue my work in graduate school, publish my work, and be as open and authentic about myself through my work.