A.B.L.E.'s 2024-2025 Season of Invention

A new fiscal year is underway and our team is hard at work planning for a new season. Get ready for our 2024-2025 Season of Invention!


Season Overview

ABLE’s Program Advisory Council - composed of actors with I/DD, family caregivers, volunteer facilitators, and staff - collaborates with to select a theme to anchor every season. The theme for FY25 will be “Invention” - reflecting on what it means to create something new. Through a range of in person and virtual programs, ensembles will work together to build a series cabaret-style showcases that will be shared in November and April, and produce an original adaptation of the gothic classic Frankenstein that will premiere in the spring.

With support from our community, A.B.L.E. will host a total of 7 ensembles through the course of FY25, serving up to 70 actors with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each ensemble is composed of up to 10 actors with I/DD, two paid Teaching Artists, and at least 4 volunteer Facilitators. Ensembles gather for weekly 90-minute rehearsals to develop a performance piece. Over the course of the artistic season, A.B.L.E. will offer over 100 hours of programming, and 9 public events with our ensembles. 

ABLE intentionally programs a season that allows our ensembles to share their own perspectives and imaginations, and to claim ownership over stories which have not traditionally been “for” them. Actors are involved in every step of the creative process - from casting to staging. While the heart of ABLE’s programs are theatre-based, we draw on related skills like puppetry, improvisation, dance, and music to appeal to the strengths in our ensembles. In the season of INVENTION our teaching team is looking forward to exploring improvisation, songwriting, open scenes, and more!


What’s new this season?

We’re excited for some big changes this season including

  • Welcoming 2 new teaching artists to our staff (you’ll get to meet them soon!)

  • Trialing new rehearsal times throughout the week including a Sunday morning ensemble. In the spring, we’ll invite our performance ensemble to join us for a full day of rehearsal on Thursdays. 92% of our current actors have aged out of the school system, and creative programs may no longer be accessible or affordable. Weekday, daytime programming will allow us to better support our actors who are looking for a way to fill their days as we work together to build an adaptation of Frankenstein that will be staged at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in April.

  • Introducing a longer run for our spring adaptation so you’ll have more chances to see our work!

  • Working with new venue partners including Gateway to Learning, Filament Theatre, and more.

Through it all, we remain committed to reducing barriers for participating in our programs by offering pay-what-you-can program registration and performance tickets, and through our Technology and Travel Assistance Initiative.

What about Outreach?

A.B.L.E. brings our high-quality performing arts programs directly to community organizations and businesses through our Outreach efforts. We offer one-time workshops and longer residencies for participants with disabilities, as well as professional development training for service providers This season, we are excited to develop our relationship with Misercordia home will a creative residency. We’ll continue our bespoke Professional Development series through public workshops and contracted work.

With support from the DCASE Chicago Arts Recovery Project, this season we’ll also launch a partner grant toolkit to help interested partners secure funding for performing arts programming with A.B.L.E.

Want to get involved?

  • REGISTER FOR OUR ENSEMBLES: Registration for actors and facilitators for our Fall 2024 ensembles will open on Tuesday July 16 at 10am. Click here to review our sessions.

  • BOOK A WORKSHOP OR RESIDENCY: If you are a school, organization, group home, or other community center looking to expand programming for individuals with disabilities, we would love to partner with you. Learn more about our workshops and residencies for participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • BRING A.B.L.E. TO YOUR WORKPLACE: we offer engaging virtual and in-person Professional Development sessions that can help your organization demonstrate your commitment to diversity and accessibility. Our sessions can benefit any group who wants to make their space more inclusive - whether that space is a rehearsal room, a board room, or any place in between. Learn more and send an inquiry.

  • BECOME A SEASON SPONSOR: We are looking for corporate partners to help us bring the highest quality experience to our actors and audiences this season. Sponsors receive visibility and recognition, employee engagement opportunities, exclusive behind-the-scenes access to productions and programs, and priority access to productions, programs and special events. Sponsorship levels begin at $1,000. Click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

Our work is only possible with the support of our generous community. Thank you for believing, like we believe, that everyone is A.B.L.E. to connect, to contribute, and to create. We can’t wait to see what we are A.B.L.E. to do together!

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