A.B.L.E.’s ensembles have curated a collection of 3 innovative performances for audiences this fall.
Over the course of one weekend, 61 performers - including 32 actors with intellectual and developmental disabilities - will collaborate for Sparks of Invention. The festival will include two live in-person showcases on Friday November 1st and Saturday November 2nd hosted at Filament Theatre in Portage Park, and an interactive livestream Saturday November 2nd.
Actor Emily Kwidzinski and volunteer facilitator Megan Gray collaborate on movement for a character. Each actor works closely with a member of A.B.L.E.’s support team to ensure they have the individual support and accommodations necessary to thrive onstage
Photo by Justin Barbin
Through a 6-week rehearsal process, A.B.L.E.’s three ensembles collaborated to develop monologues, scenes, movement pieces and songs for an original production. Each event in Sparks of Invention will be a different experience, uniquely crafted to reflect the ensemble onstage. The Friday night showcase blends personal storytelling with imagined characters, while the Saturday matinee takes a thought-provoking look at how we invent different version of ourselves to face the world. A.B.L.E.’s Virtual Ensemble, Zooming in from 6 different states for the Saturday evening livestream, will explore the rivalry between two famous inventors through a series of improvisational activities driven by interactive polls and audience participation.
A.B.L.E.’s Virtual Ensemble turns their living rooms into a film set for each rehearsal. They work together to source various props and costume pieces from their homes, including these makeshift microphones.
“We want to give our actors with disabilities ownership over the creative process,” says A.B.L.E. Executive Artistic Director, Katie Yohe. That starts with A.B.L.E.’s season selection process. A.B.L.E.’s Program Advisory Council - composed of actors with I/DD, family caregivers, volunteer facilitators, and staff - collaborates with Yohe to pitch and select the theme and for each A.B.L.E. season. The theme for A.B.L.E.’s 2024-2025 Season is Invention, and Yohe says it’s a perfect choice to honor the creativity and innovation of the ensemble. “Each ensemble has done something so different with the theme. We’ve got everything from dance to poetry. So this is a really special way to get to know the hearts and imaginations of our company.”
Actor Sam Radinsky plays a game to get energized at the start of the rehearsal. As a founding ensemble member, Radinsky has worked on over 20 productions with the A.B.L.E. Radinsky says devising “feels amazing to show those feelings to everyone and to get them out from inside my heart.”
Photo by Joe Mazza/Brave Lux
A.B.L.E. is committed to ensuring everyone feels they belong in the theatre. In addition to supporting disabled actors onstage and backstage, all 3 events include numerous accessibility supports for audience members of all ages and abilities. This includes dual ASL interpretation and open captioning. Audience members will receive a social story and sensory guide before the show to help audience members know what to expect from their trip to the theatre. Yohe says, “We hope we can set an example for our community of what true inclusion looks like both onstage and off.”
[ID: A black background with several colorful circles and yellow sparks. In the top left corner, a bright pink circle with ABLE’s logo in black. Large bright yellow text in the center reads “Sparks of Invention.” Beneath this to the right, a smaller turquoise circle has black text reading “3 unique events devised and performed by a neurodiverse company of 61 performers.” A purple circle on the left side has yellow text with the link and QR code for tickets. White and Yellow text centered towards the bottom third shares the dates, times, and locations for all 3 events. Along the bottom of the image, are white logos for ABLE’s funders, including production sponsor Filament Theatre.]
Event Details:
In person at Filament Theatre (4041 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago IL 60641)
Friday November 1st at 7pm
Saturday November 2nd at 2pm
Interactive livestream
Saturday November 2nd at 7pm
Tickets:
ABLE is committed to removing barriers, and that includes ensuring our work is financially accessible for everyone who wants to attend. Tickets for this event are pay-what-you-can.
$15 - I am ABLE to connect - this level represents ABLE’s commitment to making the arts accessible for all.
$30 - I am ABLE to contribute - tickets at this level help to offset crucial production costs like props, costumes, and rehearsal space.
$45 - I am ABLE to create - this ticket level represents the true cost of A.B.L.E.’s programming. Tickets at this level help to support fellow community members in need.
Can’t attend live? That’s okay! Performances will be available to stream On Demand from ableensemble.com/athome in 2025
Accessibility:
Open captioning (Equipment Loaned by Cultural Access Collaborative with special thanks to the Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum)
Dual ASL interpretation
Relaxed performance
Sensory support tools
Wheelchair Access
Masks are required for all attendees out of consideration for our immunocompromised community members
Sparks of Invention is sponsored by Filament Theatre. A.B.L.E.’s 2024-2025 Season is partially supported by The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, FunFund, The Illinois Arts Council, The LaChapelle Family Foundation, The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ Ministry Fund, The National Endowment for the Arts, and generous individuals like you!
