Ben Collins and Zach Wandel perform in a scene from Frankenstein (photo by Vashon Jordan, Jr.)
If you joined us for Frankenstein or read the reviews in American Theatre Magazine or The Chicago Reader, you may have noticed we tried some new things with this production. For the first time in A.B.L.E.’s history, we produced a limited run of our show rather than our usual one-off celebratory performance. The actors in Frankenstein also went through an application and audition process, and worked with us through longer rehearsal days. These changes were an important opportunity to test ideas for a new, ambitious branch of programming: The Producing Ensemble.
What is the Producing Ensemble?
Starting in January 2026, ABLE hopes to realize a long-term goal of establishing a fully paid, professional company composed of disabled and neurodivergent actors who have an established working relationship with ABLE. Beyond giving a chance for deeper engagement and creative control to our veteran actors, and opening space in our core ensembles for new participants, the Producing Ensemble will help ABLE expand possibilities for inclusive theatre in Chicago.
Over a two-year employment contract, the Producing Ensemble will collaborate with ABLE staff and guest artists to hone their skills, deepen their knowledge of the theatre industry, and develop original work inspired by their own lives and imaginations. This production will be presented in a limited run with a local professional theatre and be available for additional touring to schools and community centers.
ABLE’s Producing Ensemble will reshape the performing arts sector and demonstrate what radical accessibility looks like onstage and off.
Why do we need a Producing Ensemble?
This initiative aligns with all 3 priorities in our 5 Year Strategic Plan, and is central to our vision for the future of the organization, and for stronger disability representation in the arts sector in Chicagoland and beyond.
For our Actors
ABLE is a vital creative and social outlet for over 141 individuals with disabilities who participate in our programs annually. Currently, our core Ensemble boasts a 92% participant retention rate. Unfortunately, this has created a programming bubble, leaving little opportunity for new participants to join us. Over the past 2 years, ABLE has been working to implement a tiered structure to our ensembles with 6-week and 12-week options to cater to different levels of interest. The Producing Ensemble is the third and final tier of this plan, geared towards participants who are hungry for deeper engagement and new creative challenges.
98% of A.B.L.E.’s current actors have aged out of the school system, and creative programs may no longer be available or affordable. There is a sharp decline in available services, leaving many adults with I/DD looking for a way to fill their days. While finding a job is typically part of being an adult, people with disabilities are un/underemployed at more than double the national average, and sub-minimum wage laws in many states mean they are often not valued for their work. The performing arts field presents additional barriers. Traditional production practices - from training programs, to auditions, to rigorous production schedules - are simply not accessible. According to a 2019 NEA study, only 4.32% of actors and 7.7% of arts workers identify as disabled. By not including stories told for, with, and by people with disabilities, the performing arts sector devalues the lived experiences of the 1 in 4 adults who are disabled. This leads to increased misperceptions and stigma about what it means to live with a disability.
By placing leaders with disabilities in the spotlight and showcasing their stories, we can build more inclusive communities.
For our Organizational Stability
Because we sit at the intersection of so many fields, ABLE’s existing program model does not fit cleanly into traditional funding structures. Arts education grants tend to prioritize youth, whereas we work with underserved adults. Several well-known performing arts funders who support “professional” companies don’t recognize our model of community-based ensembles. We believe the Producing Ensemble will open new possibilities for private funding and corporate sponsors. Adding the Producing Ensemble would more than double the number of public performances we offer throughout the year, through longer runs and touring opportunities. This will allow us to connect with new audiences, who can support our work through ticket purchases and individual donations.
For our Community
We are committed to accessibility for our audiences, and invest in industry-leading accommodations at all public events including pay-what-you-can ticketing, relaxed performances, open captioning, and dual ASL interpretation to ensure everyone feels they belong in the theatre.
We recognize that we are part of a larger eco-system of both theatres and disability service organizations with whom we can share knowledge and resources. As we document our process, we can model sensory-friendly design, accessible audition and rehearsal practices, communication tools that honor speakers and non-speakers, and accessible marketing practices, and more. By positioning ABLE as a thought-leader in the field of inclusive theatre, the visibility of the Producing Ensembles will allow our organization to continue to build trust from our community and draw new collaborators into the work.
The Producing Ensemble will provide authentic, meaningful disability representation and encourage our audiences and creative partners to reconsider who gets to call themselves an artist.
WhY DO WE THINK This will work?
With support from an ArtsWork Explore grant, ABLE started our Creative Associates Initiative in 2022. Through this program, ABLE hired 6 long-time ensemble members with disabilities to co-lead ABLE’s outreach programming both virtually and in-person. Creative Associates earn a competitive salary and gain transferable job skills like communication, leadership, adaptability and collaboration. We heard from our Creative Associates that they wanted more hours, more opportunities, and deeper creative involvement. The Producing Ensemble will replace our current Creative Associates initiative to allow us to offer impactful artistic employment opportunities.
ABLE’s inaugural Creative Associate cohort joined our staff in 2022 (photo by Joe Mazza/BraveLux)
We’ve been inspired by peer companies like Hijnx, Access All Areas, Stopgap Dance, and Teatr21 among others who have successfully run both community-based work alongside professional companies.
Who can join the Producing Ensemble?
The Producing Ensemble will employ up to 8 actors aged 22+ who have completed at least four previous ABLE sessions, one in the past 12 months. The program will be by invitation.
What is the time commitment?
Each member of the Producing Ensemble will be offered a 2-year contract and will work a range of weekly shifts with ABLE throughout that time. This will include rehearsals, guest artist workshops, and administrative support.
Outside of rehearsals, each member of the Producing Ensemble will identify a pathway - facilitation, marketing, or administration - and work an additional weekly shift to support their chosen pathway. Those in the teaching pathway will develop facilitation skills to lead ABLE trainings and public workshops. Those in the marketing pathway will work together to create content for ABLE’s social media channels, distribute press releases, and respond to interview requests. The administrative track will support logistics for our production, including organizing supplies and materials and liaising with the stage management team. By 2028, we also hope to promote one company member to a new staff role of Associate Artistic Director, who will assist with creative direction.
How can you help?
The Producing Ensemble will only be possible with significant financial investment from our community. To support the increased staffing, production costs, venue rentals, and competitive wages for the company of actors, we estimate this initiative will add close to $150,000 to our annual budget. Join us in investing in disabled leadership, and make a donation to be a part of something truly transformative.
