Today we’d like to introduce you to Luke Durling.
Hi Luke, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Luke Durling. I’m a writer /poet from Hudson MI and I have cerebral palsy (more specifically kernicterus). I’ve got a BA in Creative Writing from Siena Heights University in Adrian, MI, an MFA in Creative Writing from Miami University in Oxford, OH, and have published two poetry collections- “Flipbook of Myself “in 2023 and “The Maple Tree Epiphanies” in 2025. I currently have a part time position at Hudson Area Schools. As far as my involvement with The Croswell Opera House, I started going there regularly in 2024 and on a whim auditioned for the fall season shows, wound uo getting cast in The SpongeBob Musical and have been a proud member of The Croswell family ever since! While I do still love writing and poetry, The Croswell is what really opened my eyes as well as given me the opportunity to be a disability advocate, Through my time at The Croswell, I have not only had the opportunity to get back onstage- Cinderella in 2025- but also started talking to students about my experiences with disability and how to treat people with disabilities, be more inclusive, accepting. So far I’ve presented at Madison Elementary and Napoleon Middle School, as well as two sessions with teachers and administrators at the Lenawee Intermediate School District (LISD) I even am proud to say my encouragement and assistance at The Croswell is leading to progress, most notably the acquisition of a grant from The Stubnitz Foundation which led to the installation of door openers for the theatre, On top of all this, I am The Croswell’s co-Trivia writer with my friend Eric Parker, as well as write occasionally on a blog shared with my mother about film and pop culture, Calm and Cultured- calmandcultred.com
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I can’t say it’s been a cakewalk, but I do consider myself incredibly lucky. I’ve been fortunate enough to have a solid foundation of family and friends who have and continue to support me through all my endeavors. Sure, there are struggles, especially with aches and pains, but I truly would not trade my life for anything else. That’s why I feel the need to put myself u\out there; to help others have the sense of community and support I do. We all need help in life, even without realizing it. Some just need different help than others. Nothing wrong with that. B Actually quite a beautiful thing if you think about it.
The main challenge I have is getting people to understand my perspective. Even those with the bed intentions are prone to not fully understanding what to do, how to help, or even what I’m capable of, That’s true for us all, but for me and others with disabilities, that barrier is always the toughest to overcome. Once you get past these hurdles, you are totally fine. You are able to connect with them and them with you on a much deeper level than perhaps anyone besides family-or not even family- ever did. That is the main struggle. Also why I feel advocacy and support is so important.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At my core, I’,m a poet. That often comes with an undertone of arrogance or ego, but I wasn’t always positive I was a poet. If you would’ve asked me 10 years ago about poetry, I’d have laughed in your face. However, I took a poetry class in college- thanks again, Karin- and fell in love. Mainly because it showed me poetry didn’t have to be this stuffy, strict , beleaguered stuff I was taught in high school. Poetry is essentially just the breaking down of the world as we see it Into the small elements that fit into the cracks of our souls. I realized the way I thought and spoke tom myself was similar to poetry, wanting to break thinga down in order to understand them, understanding me in the process. That’s why I’m particularly proud of my most recent collection, The Maple Tree Epiphanies. I seem to have found my voice in this collection, have been getting closer to the core of my art.
It’s that same breaking down that guides my entire life it seems. From film criticism, cultural analysis, I have that same drive across all my writing. Popular culture and fandom are muses of mine, both because they the passion they evoke and what they say about our culture, us. Star Wars can be influential and interesting as Shakespeare, possibly more. I am fascinated with the art and culture society is obsessed with, oftentimes becoming obsessed myself.
This all culminates together quite nicely in my recent acting and theatre involvement. The Croswell has become a second home and a creative community unlike any I’d had before. It’s been not just a creative outlet, but something much deeper than that, almost spiritual even. The Croswell makes me want to consistently better myself while also being perfectly comfortable with who I am. Being a part of something bigger than myself and as significant as The Croswell made me find a music in myself I often forget is there. Not only in acting, not just in singing, they have inspired me to be the best I can be while helping others along the way.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I’ve taken multiple risks in my life, because fundamentally a life without any risk is a life without change. The most recent example of this is probably my auditions and even involvement at The Croswell. Let’s be honest, the theatre landscape, much like the rest of the world unfortunately, is not built with disability in mind. I am ecstatic to be a part of The Croswell’s community, but there are still plenty more things that need to be done in order to make it the best it can be. I hope my example can lead to others being inspired to take their own risks because things do pay off with persistence.
As a disabled person, I have a greater understanding of risk, but yet I still feel like my experience is not that different from anyone else’s. I make choices and mistakes just like everyone else. Do I have to perhaps be slightly more vigilant than others? Probably, but I don’t see disability as the issue. I think it’s a lack of understanding and equity that makes others feel either we risk more or less than we do. These opportunities have driven me to educate organizations that might need a reminder that people with disabilities deserve a community where they can be heard and respected despite requiring accommodations. It would be my pleasure, privilege, and responsibility to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves; pursue resources that allow them to do so. Disability is praised when overcome, pitied when not. We don’t need either. What we need is respect, regardless of our abilities. We all have things we are willing to do and wager on, and disabled people might have heavy odds against, but we are still trying to play the same games and win the same prizes. Let’s just try to even the playing field.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://calmandcultured.com/
- Other: https://www.lulu.com/search?contributor=Luke+Durling&adult_audience_rating=00&sortBy=PRODUCT_SALES_90_DAYS
