Set sail for an adventure like no other, full of twists and turns. Together we’ll meet indulgent Lotus Eaters and seductive Sirens who test our focus, and face terrifying monsters who test our wit and our courage. As we follow Odysseus on his journey, the ensemble reflects on choice and agency and the hero in all of us.
A.B.L.E.—Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations is thrilled to return to Chicago Shakespeare Theater with a re-imagining of the epic classic The Odyssey. The vibrant adaptation blends music, movement, shadow puppetry, and original scenes developed by the neurodiverse cast, including 24 actors with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Don’t miss this special one-time-only performance Saturday May 11, 2024 at 2pm and stay after the show to mix and mingle with the cast and crew at a post-show reception
The Odyssey is approximately 80mins with no intermission. Post show reception will end by 4:30pm
All tickets are general admission.
ABLE is committed to removing barriers, and that includes ensuring our work is financially accessible for everyone who wants to attend. Tickets for this event are pay-what-you-can; pick the pricing tier that works for you:
$15 - I am ABLE to connect - this level represents ABLE’s commitment to making the arts accessible for all.
$30 - I am ABLE to contribute - this level helps offset crucial production costs like props, costumes, and rehearsal space.
$45 - I am ABLE to create - this level represents the true cost of A.B.L.E.’s programming. If everyone purchased a ticket at this level, we would break even for this semester.
Can’t attend live? That’s okay! Performances will be available to stream On Demand from ableensemble.com/athome later this year
Accessibility AT THIS PERFORMANCE
Open captioning
Dual ASL interpreted
Relaxed performance, including a designated movement zone, and sensory support tools
Wheelchair Access
Masks required for all attendees out of consideration for our immunocompromised community members
To help plan your visit to the theater, click here for our Transportation Social Story.
Cast and Crew
The Spring 2024 Sunday Ensemble - photo by Justin Barbin
The Monday Ensemble - photo by Joe Mazza/Brave Lux
Co-Directed By: Braden Cleary & Katie Yohe
Re-imagined and devised by the A.B.L.E. Ensembles:
Spring 2024 Sunday Ensemble
Actors: Colleen Altman, Colin Baar, Marissa Bloodgood, Jack Butler, Gabe Felshman, Samuel Floersheimer, Peter Grzeslo, Erin Harvey*, Emily Kwidzinski, Matt La Chapelle, Claire O’Leary, Jake Solworth
Facilitators: Amy Bahr, Lewis Beaver, Audrey Connelly*, Megan Gray, Marilyn Halperin, Chelsea Hosler, Jo Jennings, Jenna Rapisarda, Liam Schlosser*
Spring 2024 Monday Ensemble
Actors: Christian Boyd, Sandia Coleman, Alena Counter Brown, Sophie Earvolino, Ryan Foley, Natalia Janik, Anna Luzadder, Maggie Marren, Matt Marren, Lucas Miezal, Sam Radinsky, Lucy Walsh
Facilitators: Andrea Bazzoli*, Kara Davidson, Shannon Diegel, Paige Henderson, Edith Luckos*, Kate McDuffie, Jeanine Peters-Gillette*, Margaret Sheils, Lindsay Stock
Music Consultant: Polly Yukevich
Puppet Consultant: Kara Davidson
Stage Manager: Anna Vu
Inside the Rehearsal Room
With the Sunday Ensemble - photos by Justin Barbin
With the Monday Ensemble - photos by Joe Mazza/Brave Lux
The Odyssey was sponsored by:
Gail & Dennis Rossow
A.B.L.E.’s 2023-2024 season has been partially supported by grants from
And by generous individuals like you!
About our Producing Partner
Regional Tony Award-recipient Chicago Shakespeare Theater produces a bold and innovative year-round season—plays, musicals, world premieres, family productions, and theatrical presentations from around the globe—alongside nationally recognized education programming serving tens of thousands of students, teachers, and lifelong learners each year. Founded in 1986, the Theater’s onstage work has expanded to as many as twenty productions and 650 performances annually. Chicago Shakespeare is dedicated to welcoming the next generation of theatergoers; one in four of its audience members is under the age of eighteen. As a nonprofit organization, the Theater works to embrace diversity, prioritize inclusion, provide equitable opportunities, and offer an accessible experience for all. On the Theater’s three stages at its home on Navy Pier, in classrooms and neighborhoods across the city, and in venues around the world, Chicago Shakespeare is a multifaceted cultural hub—inviting audiences, artists, and community members to share powerful stories that connect and inspire. www.chicagoshakes.com
