The Art of Autism is proud to announce our new podcast: The Art of Autism Podcast with Andy Boyd. Now on Itunes and Soundcloud. In the first episode of the Podcast Andy interviews Art of Autism Board member Angela Weddle about growing up in New Orleans, her later-in-life autism diagnosis, and how drawing can be a form of stimming.
As we debut this new series where we will post one interview each month, I had the opportunity to ask Andy Boyd, who is the podcast host a few questions.
Can you tell me a little about yourself?
Sure! I’m a playwright based in Brooklyn, New York. I also draw cartoons and write songs. I’ve been writing plays for about ten years and I have an MFA from Columbia. I mostly write about historical and political themes, especially social movements.
What motivated you to do this new Art of Autism Podcast Series?
I just saw a gap in the available podcasts about autistics. It seemed like most of them were based on a medical model of autism, some even peddling dubious “cures” and therapies. There are a few good ones that interview autistic artists as well as other interesting autistic people, but none that focused exclusively on autistic artists. I also think that since I am an autistic artist I can connect with people on that level. I wanted to create a space where autism was a given, not the main topic.
What would you like the listener to know about this Podcast Series?
It’s going to be a monthly show for basically the school year, so we’ll have one episode each month from September to May. We’re going to be interviewing visual artists, but I also want to talk to musicians, writers, etc.
Can you tell me a little bit about your own autism diagnosis?
Sure! I was diagnosed a few years ago after suspecting that I was autistic for years. The main thing that made me suspect I was autistic was that I am very obsessive. If I’m reading a book that is particularly interesting it’s all I want to think about. This comes in really handy when I’m writing a play. I have plays that have a thirty book bibliography attached! I love to really get in deep with research until I feel I understand the topic almost as well as the people I’m writing about would.
Can you say something about this first Podcast with Angela Weddle?
Sure! Angela is a great poet and visual artist and we had a really great conversation. I’m still trying to figure out the technical aspects of the podcast a bit, but I think this one turned out really well. I included links to her work in the podcast notes, so I hope people check it out.
Do you have any more interviews lined up for future podcasts? And what type of person are you looking to interview?
I do! The next two interviews are with a visual artist and a playwright, but I don’t have any lined up after that. I’m looking to interview people from across the arts. What I’m most interested in is people who have shown real dedication to their craft. I want to show the world that autistic artists are every bit as talented as neuro-typical artists.
Andy Boyd is a playwright based in Brooklyn, New York. He is a graduate of the playwriting MFA program at Columbia University, Harvard University, and the Arizona School for the Arts. His plays have been produced, developed, or presented at IRT, Pipeline Theatre Company, The Gingold Group, Dixon Place, Roundabout Theatre, Epic Theatre Company, Out Loud Theatre, Naked Theatre Company, Contemporary Theatre of Rhode Island, and The Trunk Space. He is currently working on a series of 50 plays about the 50 U.S. states. His website is AndyJBoyd.com, and he can be reached atandyjamesboyd@gmail.com.
