A Letter from our Founder: One year down!

Today marks the end of our first full fiscal year as a 510c3 organization! We were able to hit the ground running as a free-standing organization and launched a busy season of programming. Since incorporating on May 5, 2016, we have:

  • Performed Twelfth Night in front of our biggest audience to date at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
  • Wrapped principle photography for our second feature film, The Spy Who Knew Me, with the help of over 142 donors who contributed over $22,000 to our crowdfunding campaign on Hatchfund. 
  • Welcomed two new actors – Emma and Anna – to our ensemble
  • Cheered on two actors – Andrew and Rachel – as they graduated from CPS and our core teen program
  • Put in over 150 hours of filming and/or rehearsals to bring our productions to life
  • Produced 2 adaptations of classic stories- A Christmas Carol and Pirates of Penzance at Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre – reaching a total audience of over 300 people
  • Welcomed 6 new facilitators – Braden, Elizabeth, Parker, Matt, Sarah, & Alison!
  • Rocked out at 40 dance parties!

Since we first started running drama classes through GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago, through our partnership with Chicago Children’s Theater, and now as our own freestanding organization, I am continually amazed and humbled by the support of our community. The collaborative, ensemble spirit we work for in class is echoed by all those who rally around A.B.L.E. I couldn’t let this milestone pass without recognizing all of the many individuals and organizations who offered production support this season and made our projects possible: 

Daufenbach Camera

Roadrunners Autotransport, Inc.

The Menomonee Club Drucker Center

Fey & Co. Jewelers

Formally Modern Tuxedo

Century Center

Union League Club Chicago

The Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo

The Field Museum

Firehouse Studios

Space Stage Studios

Royal Central School for Speech & Drama

Johnsonese Brokerage

The Arts & Business Council of Chicago

Lawyers for the Creative Arts

Afable Consulting

Margaret Sheils

Daisy Bentley

Pioneer Press

Gary Peterson

Victory Gardens Biograph Theater

Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier

Hannah Vilic

Carlos Villalobos, Jr

 

And of course, our heartfelt gratitude to this season's funders for their support: 

On behalf of all of us at A.B.L.E., thank you for rallying around us, cheering us on, and making our program a reality. I look forward to seeing our community grow and strengthen over the coming season and beyond. We've already learned, we can't do it alone. If you would like to learn more about opportunities to work with us and support our mission, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can also click here to make a tax-deductible donation and help bring our next season to life. 

Thank you for believing, like we believe, that everyone is ABLE to connect, ABLE to contribute, and ABLE to create. With your support, A.B.L.E. can continue to develop our methodology, build our profile, and solidify our status as a leader in inclusive practice. Together we can build a platform for people with special needs to share who they are and all that they are A.B.L.E. to do. 

Stay tuned for plans for next year, including more details about the premiere of The Spy Who Knew Me on Saturday September 16th.  

Thanks again! I can't wait to see what we do next. 

Follow A.B.L.E. on Social

There's only one week left in our #giveABLE24 campaign and we're counting on you to give a little, give a lot, give what you are ABLE! Did you know every ABLE session is led by a pair of highly trained teaching artists? Our teaching artists develop c
What a difference a day makes! Thank you to everyone who contributed towards yesterday's match challenge. Even though we fell short of our $5,000 goal for the day, together, we raised $3,065 in just 24 hours. With our generous match, this helps to br
ATTENTION PLEASE! We only have a few hours left to reach today’s goal of raising $5,000 for our special Matching Challenge, and we need YOUR help to get us over the finish line! Thanks to a generous individual donor, that $5000 will be matche
Want to be cool like Christian? Make a donation to our #giveABLE24 campaign! TODAY ONLY every dollar you give will be matched 1:1 up to $5,000, doubling the impact for A.B.L.E.. So far, we have raised $812 towards our Match Challenge - but we still n
If you haven't contributed to our #giveABLE24 Campaign yet...now is the time! A generous donor has offered a $5,000 Match Challenge. TODAY ONLY - Tuesday December 17th - every dollar you donate will be matched dollar for dollar - up to $5,000! Your
📣 SPECIAL ANOUNCEMENT 📣 For one day only - Tuesday December 17 - every donation you make to A.B.L.E. will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling the impact of your support!  Thanks to a generous individual donor for your $5 donation could beco