ABLE - Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations

Ensembles: Actors with disabilities collaborate with a team of teaching artists and volunteer facilitators to create theatre and film projects. Each ensemble serves a maximum of 12 actors with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages 13+. Ensembles meet for 90-minute each week over the course of a semester. This year, ABLE launched a new ensemble called In the Wings, a shorter course aimed at welcoming new participants to our work. We also hosted 3 core 12-week ensembles each semester. In the fall, the ensembles devised original productions and staged RECONNECT - a festival of original performances and workshops. In the spring, the ensembles presented a multimedia adaptation of Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream. Program Metrics: -Total Virtual Sessions = 45-Total In-Person Sessions = 62-Total program hours = 152.5-Total enrollment = 74 (46 unique)-Total Live Streamed Performances = 6-Audience = 578

Workshops: Specialized sessions led by A.B.L.E. teaching artists and/or guest artists to introduce performers with I/DD to new performance skills. In FY23, ABLE teaching artists offered 8 virtual and in person workshops. Due to overall low enrollment, A.B.L.E. will sunset this program in FY24. Program metrics: -Total Sessions = 8-Total program hours = 11.5-Total enrollment = 46

Outreach: ABLE shares our methodology through one-time workshops and longer residencies for community organizations that serve individuals with I/DD and professional development training for those who support them. In FY23, ABLE expanded our professional development offerings, developing 2 new professional development trainings. We were contracted by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the National Association for Down Syndrome, Northlight Theatre, and Ladder Life Insurance, and were invited to present at the Arts Alliance Illinous OneState Conference. All Outreach sessions are co-led by A.B.L.E.s Creative Associates - staff members with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Program metrics:-Total Sessions = 9-Total program hours = 15-Total enrollment = 240