We can’t do what we do without our fabulous facilitators. We’re lucky to have a team of kind and passionate volunteers who share their talents with our ensembles each week - they model exercises, give additional support, and have a ton of fun at the same time. This semester we welcomed 5 new facilitators to our team, including the fabulous artist in today’s spotlight. She’s been a warm and playful presence with our Monday ensemble, and we’re so pleased to introduce you to….MARY!

Name: Mary Ruppert

Hometown: Kensington, MD

Why did you start volunteering with ABLE?: What's not to love? ABLE is a great mash-up of things I love: theatre and learning alongside people of all abilities.

What's your job when you're not with us?: I'm the Manager of Donor Relations for L'Arche USA. L'Arche is a movement dedicated to bringing men and women with disabilities into the heart of our society, making their voices heard, and providing homes and work places where people with and without intellectual disabilities live and work in relationships of respect and mutuality.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?: I'm a dabbler in many things creative. On any given evening or weekend you might find me with a paintbrush, a soldering iron, a ukulele or a wooden spoon in my hand, or a clown nose on my face.

Who is your favorite actor/performer? What do you like about them?: I admire my nieces who carry on a tradition from a long line of family dancers who have graced our living rooms. Once the family is assembled, they turn on some tunes, put on their tutus, and let the music move them around the room. It is joy unleashed!

If you won a million dollars, what would you do?: Take classes! I would study any creative thing I could: art, music, movement...

What's your go-to dance party song? So many! It's hard to choose. Maybe Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours by Stevie Wonder.

What else should we know about you?: I am a clown! I love performing at farmers markets and around town with Chicago Community Clowns. I also lead retreats on creativity; the intersection between creativity and spirituality is really juicy.