5 minute read
Epic Players
By Janice Corrado (USA, mum, educator, advocate for diversity)
Making the Magic of Theatre Accessible to All
Advertisement
Theatre is a magical experience, whether you are a spellbound audience member, a cast member working backstage to create a story setting, or a performer shining in the glow of the spotlight. But the magic of EPIC Players, a nonprofit theatre company based in New York City, creates shining opportunities for members with developmental disabilities in many ways. I purposefully spent time with executive and artistic director Aubrie Therrien to discover what’s behind the magic — and the remarkable success — of this unique theatre company.
EPIC Players, founded on August 25 2016, lives up to its name — Empower, Perform, Include, Create — by providing opportunities for collaboration between neurotypical theatre professionals and neurodiverse members through mainstage productions, cabarets, and “EPIC Underground” openmic performances. “We started EPIC Players four years ago, with twenty players and a very small budget,” Aubrie Therrien, the founder and executive and artistic director, shares. “Today, we are sixty-six members strong, with triple the budget. All our fundraising goes into our productions, and we are proud to say that all of our members are paid for their contributions to our highquality productions. There is lots of pride in what we develop and perform.” Among the company members, about 25% are neurotypical professionals, and 75% are neurodiverse. Each season, the company meets together to determine what the focus of their productions will be. Everyone’s input is encouraged, and the company looks for an opportunity to provide a wide variety of theatre experiences. “We look for productions that can represent all of our players so that everyone has a chance to shine,” Representation is Aubrie notes. “We produce two so important: You mainstage shows a year, one of can’t be what you which is a musi- can’t see. cal,” Aubrie says. “We also do two cabarets each year, where our members have an opportunity to highlight their particular talents. In addition, we have our EPIC Underground events, which are like open-mic nights and are lots of fun. Right now, we are in the process of creating our first original musical, which is so exciting!” Once the group has brainstormed ideas for the season, they narrow the focus to five or six plays. Then the players have the opportunity to really delve deep into the learning process. “The company is structured along two tracks: a conservatory or educational track and a performance track,” Aubrie explains. In the conservatory setting, members can select from over 100 free performing arts classes each year. “Once we have determined the plays we will produce for the year, we obtain copies of the plays, and all members watch and critique numerous video performances, break down and act out the scenes,” Aubrie says. “We learn so much from each production. It’s exciting to see the growth of our actors over time and to see them guide and mentor our new members.” Nada Smith singing at EPIC’s Cabaret at Joe’s Pub at The Public.Photo credit: Levue Photography, Gabriel Johnson
Photo credit: Ric Sechrest and Gabriel Johnson
EPIC Players also partners with the New York City Department of Education near their location to bring the EPIC experience into school classrooms. “We focus on students aged sixteen and up with developmental disabilities,” Aubrie shares. “My mom was an elementary school teacher of students with disabilities, and I had seen firsthand how amazing theatre can be for these students, giving them practice in reading, memorizing lines and songs, presenting. When I was working in theatre, I saw that there were very few opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. I knew from my research that only 2% of the roles in the entertainment industry are written for characters living with a disability; of those roles, 94% are played by non-disabled or neurotypical actors. Representation is so important: You can’t be what you can’t see. At EPIC, our vision is to provide an elevated platform for neurodiverse communities to be both represented and heard.” After four years, the company is now reaching audiences of over 1,600 people in venues all across New
York City, including Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and The Clark Studio Theater at Lincoln Center. The success of EPIC Players has come about both from the company’s work with schools and theatre organizations and by word of mouth. In response to the Covid pandemic this past year, the company has created virtual performances which are reaching a broader audience. “Now is a great time to become involved in EPIC because you can do so virtually,” Aubrie notes. Potential members are encouraged to visit a class to see if EPIC is right for them. Membership is through a company-scheduled audition only, consisting of a monologue, a song, and a short interview. Once accepted, company membership is free for all artists and provides free performing arts classes, headshots, résumés, casting assistance, and access to a positive social community of like-minded individuals. “We have so many really wonderful, generous people who support us,” Aubrie shares. Their support has allowed EPIC to create “a refined approach to inclusive theatre,” as one audience member has described. What’s ahead for the company? “We’ve got big dreams,” Aubrie admits. “We’d love to have a dedicated space, just for EPIC classes, workshops, and productions. We’d also love to Everyone’s input see more representation of neurodiis encouraged… verse performers and productions everyone has a at awards shows. chance to shine. And, ultimately, we’d love to see all theatre companies include neurodiverse players so that we are truly represented and heard in all communities.”
Nicole D’Angelo and Benjamin Rosloff at Lincoln Center’s Clark Theater. Photo Credit: Ric Sechrest Photography Yotam Braunshtein (Ariel), Miles Butler (Ariel), and Whitney Blythe (Ariel) in EPIC’s production of “The Tempest” at The Flea Theater in New York City. Photo Credit: Ric Sechrest Photography.
