Over the course of 6 weekly rehearsals, the actors in A.B.L.E.’s spring 2025 showcase ensembles collaborated with a team of teaching artists and volunteer facilitators to explore different performance techniques and showcase their unique interests and talents while reflecting on A.B.L.E.’s season theme of INVENTION.
Each group developed an original showcase designed to give audiences a peek at their process. Our in-person showcases played to sold-out crowds at The Understudy Coffee and Books on April 4 and 5, 2025 and our virtual showcase was broadcast throughout the summer. Re-live them all for free below!
Invention Convention
Join A.B.L.E.’s Spring 2025 Sunday Ensemble for a one-night-only showcase. Using a series of theatre games and activities, our Sunday Showcase Ensemble developed Inventor Characters and built unique creations that can solve everyday problems. At our Inventor’s Convention as we unveil high-tech gizmos like the Robo-matic and the Clown Canon designed to fill your every need…you might even get to invent something of your own!
Actors: Colin Baar, Jack Butler, Gabe Felshman, Samuel Floersheimer, Peter Grzeslo, Emily Kwidzinski, Maggie Leal, John Phelan, Kevin Smith, Eric Williams
Facilitators: Claire Buckley, Audrey Connelly, Haley Schroeck, Jenna Rapisarda, Sarah Haley, Liam Schlosser
Teaching Artists: Ariya Hawkins, Perry Hunt
Musician: Justin de la Cruz
ASL Interpretation: Sabrina Cienfuegos, Mark Motyka, Peter Wujcik
Captioning: Efficiency Reporting
Archival Video: Just Stories
Invention Cabaret
Join A.B.L.E.’s Spring 2025 Monday Ensemble for a one-night-only showcase! Over the course of a 6-week rehearsal process, the Monday Ensemble explored how performers invent their work. Each actor has picked a performance style – from magic to dance to music and mime – to develop an original act for a cabaret-style showcase.
Actors: Sandia Coleman, Natalia Janik, Emily Lavin, Anna Luzadder, Maggie Marren, Matt Marren, Lucas Miezal, John Miksis, Claire O’Leary, Sam Radinsky
Facilitators: Andrea Bazzoli, Erica Clark, Shannon Diegel, Paige Henderson, Kaitlynn Milvert, Erik Prather, Lindsay Stock
Teaching Artists: Kiaran Hartnett, Perry Hunt
Musician: Justin de la Cruz
ASL Interpretation: Sabrina Cienfuegos, Mark Motyka, Peter Wujcik
Captioning: Efficiency Reporting
Archival Video: Just Stories
Social Inventions
This spring, our virtual ensemble Zoomed in from across the country to examine how we invent ourselves on social media. Each actor developed a character – from pro-wrestlers to movie critics to authors and artisans – and crafted a reel around their character. These original videos were shared on A.B.L.E.’s social media channels throughout the summer. Enjoy the full playlist on our YouTube Channel:
Actors: Sophie Earvolino, Samuel Floersheimer, Carlos Mejia, Jr., Fletcher Jones, Jonathan Jennings, Tommy Shimoda, Jake Solworth, Sarah Parrack
Facilitators: Nette Angelini, Ari Domeraski, Chelsea Hosler, Caroline Thelen, Polly Yukevich
Teaching Artists: Lawrence Kern, Melanie Zehner
Video Editing: Katie Yohe
A.B.L.E.’s 2024-2025 Season of Invention was partially supported by The Arts Work Fund for Organizational Development, The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, FunFund, Fs Foundation, 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!
