A.B.L.E. - Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations is excited to share our newest program - The Creative Associates Program!
First, some background:
A.B.L.E. strives to provide lifelong learning opportunities for our participants. We have a 99% rate of repeat enrollment, and build long-term relationships with our actors. We get to watch them grow and change over the years. Many of the fresh-faced teenagers who started with us 5 years ago are now facing adulthood which brings its own challenges. By the end of 2022, 32 of A.B.L.E.’s 40 ensemble members will be over the age of 22. Many advocates for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) refer to turning 22 as “falling off the cliff.” There is a sharp decline in available services, leaving many adults with I/DD looking for a way to fill their days.
Finding a job is typically part of being an adult but, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for people with a disability is more than double the rate for those without a disability. According to the latest census, more than 70% of people with disabilities are un/under employed. There are many barriers to people with disabilities in the workplace including: transportation, lack of training and accommodations, and potential loss of benefits if they work too many hours.
Over the years, we have watched more and more actors and their families face the transition to adulthood, and struggle with navigating a world that is not always set up for them. In FY19, we launched our first ensemble for actors over the age of 22. That class reached capacity in its first semester. Presently our entire program waitlist is over the age of 22. There is a sharp need for programming for adults with disabilities, and we know the performing arts are an invaluable source of connection and creativity. This got us thinking:
How can A.B.L.E. engage longterm program participants as change-makers in our organization, and create leadership and employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the arts?
We’re excited to share our answer: The Creative Associates Program!
What is the Creative Associate Program?
Through this new program, A.B.L.E. will train and employ 6 veteran ensemble members as teaching assistants for our outreach efforts and workshops for younger children. In addition to sharing their performance expertise, Creative Associates will gain transferable job skills like communication, leadership, adaptability, and collaboration. The Creative Associate Program will advance A.B.L.E.’s mission of creating more inclusive communities by upholding the disability advocacy mantra: “nothing about us, without us”.
What will Creative Associates do?
Creative Associates will attend an 6 week training academy starting in January of 2022. During these 6 weeks, they will build their facilitation skills including leading different A.B.L.E. games and activities, designing lesson plans, and troubleshooting different real-life in class scenarios.
From there, Creative Associates will support our programs in a range of roles including:
co-teaching workshops for younger children with disabilities - ages 8-12, including a summer camp in the summer of 2022.
Presenting at conferences and businesses to share more about what we do at A.B.L.E.
Co-teaching Professional Development sessions for teachers or theatre professionals who want to learn more about working with actors with disabilities.
Helping with administrative tasks like assembling story kits, organizing costumes and props, or making visual aids for rehearsals.
Creative Associates will work an average of around 50 hours/year for A.B.L.E., and will receive an annual stipend for their work.
Why is A.B.L.E. starting the Creative Associates Program?
We know representation matters. For the youths who participate in our new youth workshops, we believe learning from mentors with the same or similar disabilities will encourage deeper learning and engagement with the material and boost confidence. For our outreach and business partners, we hope they will consider new possibilities for how to include and respect individuals with disabilities both onstage and off. And for our Creative Associates, we hope they get a deeper sense of independence and autonomy, and that this can translate to other employment and areas of their life.
How can I be involved in the Creative Associates Program?
Eligible actors can apply through Monday October 18th.
Applications are open now for our first cohort of six actors. You can click here to read about the eligibility requirements in our social story, or watch the Q&A with our Executive Director, Katie, and our Program Coordinator, Emma:
Our first cohort of Creative Associates will be ready to work starting in March 2022. You can help them by:
Spreading the word to Chicago-area families with children (ages 8-13) with disabilities that there will be some workshops and a summer camp opportunity coming up soon! Sign up for our newsletter to get updates when registration opens.
Inviting us to where you work for a Professional Development Session or a Lunch & Learn about our programs Click here to learn more.
Booking A.B.L.E. for an outreach session at your school, with your community center, or group. Click here to learn more.
Making a donation to support the future of this exciting new program, and to help all of our programs continue to grow.
At the end of every rehearsal, we circle together in person or around our Zoom screens to call out our closing blessing:
I take from the heavens all that I need, and I bring it into me
I take from the earth all that I need, and I bring it into me
And when I have it inside me, I give it away.
We are excited for this new opportunity for our actors to share all that they have to give and look forward to working with you to build more inclusive, empathetic communities.
Stay tuned for more news as the Creative Associates program gets underway!
For more information about this program, contact Executive Artistic Director, Katie Yohe
