Arts and Entertainment
March 23, 2024
From: A.R.T./New York TheatresEPIC Players Theatre, New York's Premiere Neurodiverse Theater Company, presents a first-of-its-kind neuroinclusive Spring Awakening, at ART/ NY’s The Mezzanine Theatre. ASL-interpreted Performances will be held on May 9 and May 16.
Spring Awakening is an electrifying journey through the trials and challenges of adolescence, with music by Duncan Sheik. Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the story explores the mystery of attraction, desire, sex, insecurity, and the highs and lows of navigating the pressures of young adult life. Brought to life by the unique perspective of EPIC’s neurodivergent community members, this is one re-telling not to miss.
“Light poured in through floor-to-ceiling windows as the players sung their parts to a resonant piano accompaniment before joining their voices in a rapid and rousing harmony…The scene is similar to any professional theater company's rehearsal before a big show, with EPIC Players' difference being its mission to ‘provide opportunities for performers with developmental disabilities to represent themselves on stage and screen.’” — Jessy Edwards, BK Reader
CAST:
Wendla: Sydney Kurland
Martha: Laisha Gonzalez
Thea: Rachel Barcellona
Anna: Katherine Tepan
Ilse: Mina Cuesta
Melchior: Will Ketter
Moritz: Reuben Baron
Hanschen: Samuel Langshteyn
Ernst: Josh Cartagena
Georg: Rafiq Tate
Otto: Shafer Gootkind
Adult Women 1: Shoshanna Gleich
Adult Women 2: Samantha Elisofon
Adult Man 1: Gerard Riley
Adult Man 2: Max Tunney
Ensemble: Henry Houghton
Ensemble: Emy Ramos
Voice of Hanschen: Chloe Rose Solomon
CREATIVE TEAM AND CREW:
Director: Travis Burbee
Assistant Director: Gabe Girson
Music Director: Blake Brauer
Choreographer: Miles Butler
Stage Manager: Sydnee Davis
Production Manager: William Morris
Assistant Stage Manager: Carol Hoverman
Assistant Stage Manager: Cassidy Kaye
Director of Artistic Sign Language: Kailyn Aaron-Lozano
Intimacy and Fight Director: Hannah "Rock" Roccisano
Intimacy and Fight Assistant: Scarlet Yousif
Scenic Designer: Matthew Imhoff
Sound Designer: Sean Ramos
Costume Designer: Nicole Zausmer
Props Designer: Madisen Frazier
Light Designer: Cameron Filepas
Executive Artistic Director: Aubrie Therrien
Front of House: Talia Eapen
Access Coordinator: Jamie Rose Hays
Mental Health Counselor: Taupa Fogo-Toussaint
EPIC, named one of the top disabled theater companies in NYC by Theater Development Fund, is an inclusive theater company and welcomes all theater patrons to enjoy our productions. In order to make our shows more accessible to individuals with disabilities and members of the neuro-diverse community and their families, we offer the following accommodations, services and policies:
• ADA Seating: Wheelchair and companion seating is reserved for the exclusive use of patrons with disabilities and their guests who require the features of the seat. The accessible seat locations offer wheelchair accommodation for guests who need to remain in their wheelchairs or who would like to transfer, have no steps for guests with mobility disabilities, and are easy to access from the theater entrance.
This production is made possible in part with the support of:
The New York State Council on the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, The Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York, The Hoffman Charitable Trust, The Annabelle Foundation, The Howard Gilman Foundation, The Lortel Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Flutie Foundation, and the Lily Auchincloss Foundation.
"Our actors are actually getting jobs and work and building community and relationships inside and outside the company," Therrien said. "It's humbling and profound. And this year was seeing it work, all this magic play out and things actually changing people and helping them for the better: The proof is in the pudding.” — EPIC Players Founder, Aubrie Therrien
About the Company
EPIC Players (Empower, Perform, Include, Create), founded on August 25, 2016, is a nonprofit, neuro-diverse theatre company dedicated to creating professional performing arts opportunities and supportive social communities in the arts for Neurodivergent and Disabled artists. Via inclusive 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.
Dates: May 9 - 19, 2024
Times:
Wednesday - Saturday's at 7pm
Sundays at 2pm
Location: ART/NY's The Mezzanine Theatre, 502 West 53rd Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10019
General admission tickets start at $35. Video streaming will be available during the second week of shows, with streaming tickets available for $20.
All tickets can be purchased online at https://epicplayers.ticketspice.com/epic-players-presents-spring-awakening-.
For more information, visit https://www.epicplayersnyc.org/