Meet the Team Behind: EPIC Players

EPIC Players is a neuro-inclusive nonprofit theater company creating professional performing arts opportunities for neurodivergent and disabled artists— using the stage to celebrate talent, build community, and expand representation in the arts. Learn more here!

What is your mission? 

EPIC Players is a nonprofit theatre company that opens the stage to all types of artists and seeks to shine a light on neuro-diverse talent. EPIC stands for Empower, Perform, Include, Create. Through mainstage productions, musical cabarets, original showcases, skills-based classes and career resources, we hope to increase critical employment opportunities, pioneer increased inclusion in the arts, and break down social stigmas surrounding neuro-diverse communities. We believe our differences are our strengths, and that a more open stage connects artists and audiences to more representation, more inspiration, and more opportunities.

Can you tell me about the need for your work? 

Individuals living with developmental disabilities are often underpaid and under-represented in the workplace; the Department of Labor reports that only 32% of eligible working-age individuals with disabilities are employed. Only 2% of roles in the entertainment industry are written for characters living with a disability. Of those roles, 94% are played by able-bodied or neuro-typical actors. Representation is important— you can’t be what you can’t see. We’re working to change the stats by enabling and supporting this community to participate and be included in the creative process. 

What do your performances entail?

Each year, we work with our performers to develop works from their voice and story. This includes devised pieces, stand-up comedy, spoken word, and original playwriting. Every winter, we have a variety show called The EPIC Underground where performers have the chance to test out their skills and material in front of a live audience. We produce a minimum of two professional, neuro-diverse productions per year on New York City stages. We also provide the community with over 100 free performing classes per year and also partner with local schools to bring EPIC programming into the classroom. 

What kind of classes do you offer? 

All of our classes are free for EPIC company members and range in topics from performing arts, design, and professional development. The classes are designed and led according to our “BE EPIC” method for adaptive, inclusive and individualized instruction. Each class features a lead teaching artist, a class supervisor, and at least two EPIC Mentors, who serve as friends and coaches to provide individualized support as needed. We have a variety of in-person and virtual classes including musical theater, acting foundations, improv, stage combat, and more.