Research
I co-authored a research article with AuDHD PhD Researcher Sarah Jane Nuttall, on the back of my debut play 'Chameleon' that I wrote and directed. 'Chameleon' is based on my lived experiences as an autistic woman, and I wrote it to challenge the pre-existing stereotypes and misinformation surrounding autistic women. Not only did we write this research article to draw attention to the persistency of misinformation and misrepresentation of autistic experiences in the theatrical landscape but, to also draw attention to the widespread need for accessible theatre. Our research revealed some surprising revelations, particularly the intersectionality of the pressure of conforming to traditional theatre etiquette and inaccessible theatre spaces, and I'm delighted to have it published in Ought: The Journal of Autistic Culture's 2026 Spring Edition.
Abstract:
This article explores how autistic people experience theatre, showing that exclusion often comes not from individuals but from the way theatre spaces are designed and understood. Using audience feedback from Chameleon, an autistic-led production, we look at how common ideas about autism shape both what audiences expect to see on stage and how autistic people are treated in the theatre. Misinformation sets expectations about how autistic people should look, behave, and communicate, and these expectations influence how autistic presence is interpreted. We show how casting autistic performers, designing sensory‑aware environments, and inviting ongoing audience feedback can challenge these assumptions. Many audience members described barriers such as heat, glare, noise, and seating, revealing how often autistic discomfort is blamed on the person rather than the environment. We argue that autistic‑led theatre offers a different model: one that treats access as part of the creative process and presents autistic experience without softening or translating it. In doing so, it encourages audiences to rethink their assumptions and recognise autistic ways of being as valid and meaningful.
AutistiCon 2025: A Leeds Autism Services Event
My talk, “Autism, Accessibility and the Arts”, summarised our research findings outlining offering free, easy approaches to integrating access into the cultural arts and the importance of sensory-adapted theatre in the UK.
Listen to my episode on the Leeds Autism Services Podcast here…
This research was also presented as part of the AutistiCon 2025 conference in Leeds. I was a keynote speaker for AutistiCon 2025, in partnership with Leeds Autism Services.
“In this episode Jess talks about theatre - why theatre is important to her, why she enjoys the theatre and why theatres could, and should, be doing more to make the experience a more inclusive and accessible space to visit.
Jess also speaks about the challenges she has faced in the industry and the problems with other plays not being authentic and relatable, and the lack of inclusivity in the theatre experience.”