It’s no surprise when we asked our community to share their favorite memories of ABLE in honor of our 10th Anniversary, a lot of the comments were about our performances.
Every A.B.L.E. performance is as unique as the people onstage. Whether using our imaginations to devise something completely new, or putting our own spin on a classic story, our showcases and performances are brimming with personality, heart, and creativity.
Scroll to see some favorite memorABLE moments from our community, and help Set the Stage for more boundary-breaking accessible theatre with a donation to our Annual Campaign.
“My favorite memory is playing a secretary Angelica Quarternickel in The Spy Who Knew Me. It was an awesome to be in a movie, to watch myself on a big screen.”
–Natalia, A.B.L.E. Actor since 2015
“Our favorite memories of ABLE are the times that Emily leaned into her ability to express herself through roles that embrace her speech apraxia.
Her role as the Wicked Witch of the West highlighted her ability to do a pretty awesome witch’s cackle.
Her rendition of Juliet while dancing with Romeo/Andrew? Unforgettable.
The whole experience with the Tempest Jewel? Life-changing for the entire ensemble.
We are so grateful to Katie and Lawrence and all the team who supported Emily on her journey toward greater self agency. What a honor to be with ABLE since its inception. What an amazing adventure!”
–Kathy & Jack, A.B.L.E. Parents since 2010
My favorite memory of A.B.L.E. is all the time at Navy Pier. I like to perform onstage and the audience is cheering me on. Taking photos with friends in the lobby is fun. I have done a lot of acting at Chicago Shakes because I am a serious actor and have done a lot of plays.
–Colleen, A.B.L.E. Actor since 2010
“My favorite ABLE memory was meeting Little Amal at Navy Pier with our friends at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Little Amal is a 12 foot tall puppet of a 10 year old Syrian Refugee. She traveled all over the world and is a global symbol of human rights. When she came to Chicago, ABLE was there to greet her and taught her some sign language. It was one of the most emotional experiences, watching our actors engage with Little Amal and to feel connected to the other Chicago arts organizations participating in the event.”
–Kiaran, A.B.L.E. Support Team since 2019
“My favorite ABLE memory is when I played Click in the movie production of The Curse of The Tempest Jewel. Along with Lucas who played Clack, we worked for Sasha Sharkley – a loan shark and crime boss.
My second favorite memory is the World Premiere of The Spy Who Knew Me. ABLE rocks!”
–Jack, A.B.L.E. Actor since 2012
“One of my favorite ABLE memories was when I volunteered for the show Frankenstein. It made me happy and excited to see other participants like me perform in a play.
I also really liked doing the Invention Showcase, when I sang the song ‘Sunflower’ by Post Malone. It made me feel excited and comfortable to perform it.
And my last favorite memory is when I performed with the Shakespeare Ensemble in the Fall Showcase in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and ‘The Tempest.’ I remember lots of laughs and fun times while we were rehearsing.”
–Carlos, A.B.L.E. Actor since 2025
“My favorite show was The Odyssey. I played Athena. This was a Masterpiece! The performance, the theater, the music, the costumes, everything were great! Thank you A.B.L.E. community for opportunity to shine on the big stage!”
–Emily, A.B.L.E. Actor since 2011
Set the Stage for more memorABLE moments like these!
Our end-of-semester performances are such an important opportunity to bring our community together, and celebrate the incredible potential within every individual. And we can’t do it without you! Ticket Sales account for less than 3% of A.B.L.E.’s annual operating budget – we rely on generous individuals who care about our work to make the donations that sustain our mission.
Here are 4 ways you can make a difference:
Make a one-time tax-deductible donation: Every dollar makes a difference, so give what you are ABLE.
Launch a Peer-to-Peer Campaign: Visit our Givebutter campaign page and register as a fundraiser to set a personal fundraising goal and encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to join you in supporting ABLE. You can earn exclusive ABLE swag including an A.B.L.E. hoodie!
Join our Monthly Giving Circle: automated monthly gifts provide reliable revenue to help us plan ahead and meet new opportunities and challenges. Monthly donors receive perks including complimentary tickets to events, behind the scenes opportunities, and more.
Spread the Word: Like, comment, and share our stories and posts throughout the campaign. You can also access our #SetTheStage Messaging Kit for sample emails to reach out to your network.
