Every A.B.L.E. session is anchored by a pair of talented, highly trained Teaching Artists who develop and deliver our work. They create curriculum make sure everyone has the tools and supports they need to thrive.
We are so excited to introduce you to our newest team members:
Ruby Gibson
Ruby lived in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Nashville before coming to Chicago to study theatre at Northwestern University. She fell in love with the city and has been teaching, performing, and writing here ever since!
As a teaching artist, she has worked with Chicago Children’s Theatre, PlayMakers Laboratory, Evanston Public Library, and Women & Children First to teach everything from acting to zine-making. As a playwright, her adaptation of The Little Prince has been developed for young audiences across Chicagoland with Improv Playhouse and the Actors Gymnasium. You can also find her leading architecture tours on the beautiful Chicago River with Shoreline Sightseeing.
She loves to devise stories with ensembles inspired by music, props, and movement. A song that always makes her party like it’s a middle school dance is “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction.
Maddy Grady
Maddy is a teaching artist, actor, and writer who is thrilled to be a part of the A.B.L.E. team. She first discovered her love of teaching leading youth classes at a local circus in her hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota, and the rest was history! She has now worked as an educator for over 10 years, and since moving to Illinois in 2017, had the joy of being a teaching artist with organizations such as Playmakers Laboratory, CircEsteem, and Seesaw Theatre.
Maddy holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Northwestern University where she studied theatre and psychology. Her favorite topics to teach are physical theatre, devising, and creative writing.
In her spare time, you can find her crafting, cozying up with her cat, or ready to hit the dance floor to A-ha’s “Take on Me.”
Ruby and Maddy will be leading some of our showcase ensembles this spring. Watch for more information about how you can work with them when registration opens on January 11th.
