EPIC Players Inclusion Company Announces 2020/2021 Season

The neuro-diverse theatre company, EPIC Players Inclusion Company, which stands for empower, perform, include and create, is pleased to announce their 2020 season.

On World Autism Day, EPIC will perform their new cabaret show, Songs from the Spectrum: Superheroes, at the Clark Theater at Lincoln Center on April 6th. Scott Evan Davis who just composed and wrote the Broadway workshop of the new musical Indigo, directs. Justin Matthew Sargent (Spiderman, Rock of Ages), Ben Bogan (Frozen) and Katie Ivie (EPIC), will guest star. The evening will feature a pre-show reception sponsored by restaurant partners: Pappardella Restaurant, Rosa Mexicano, Hold Fast, Baonanas, Brooklyn Floss, EPIC Cakes and more.

In May, EPIC will present their first mainstage play of the season, a neuro-diverse production of Shakespeare's classic comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream at A.R.T./New York Theatre's.

This summer, Mixed Messages an original play by EPIC company member and neuro-diverse playwright Anton Spivack will have its World Premiere in New York City. Dates and venue to be announced soon.

EPIC is also thrilled to announce its fall and spring 2020/2021 season which will include: She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen, Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim, and two inclusive cabarets at Joe's Pub at The Public and other locations to be announced. 

Artistic Director Aubrie Therrien discussed EPIC's upcoming season, "We are excited to build on our 2019 season by continuing with a season filled with a little bit of magic. EPIC chose A Midsummer Night's Dream as we think every actor, including our Players, need to learn how to expertly perform Shakespeare. Performing classics can be intimidating and scary, we want to help take that fear away so our actors can freely bring their unique perspective to the play."

Aubrie went on to share, "Midsummer is magical, sexy, and scary and it ultimately questions reality and the status quo - something that I think EPIC tries to do with every production. And this year, we are producing our first ever original play from one of our company members, Anton Spivack, who identifies as autistic. Our 2020/2021 season will continue to illustrate the talents of the neuro-diverse community."

Since its inception in 2016, EPIC has mounted six mainstage productions at prestigious venues such as The Flea, The Sheen Center and HERE Arts. Their production of You're a Good Man Charlie Brown was named one of the best shows of 2017 by Yes, Broadway! In addition, they opened The New York Stock Exchange in 2018 and spoke at the United Nations for World Autism Day on Autism in the media. Their 2019 neuro-diverse production of Little Shop of Horrors was featured on WNYC and on Fox News. The company has performed their cabarets at many prestigious venues including Lincoln Center, Joe's Pub and HBO Headquarters in New York City.

To find out more about EPIC, please visit www.epicplayersnyc.org.

Songs from the Spectrum: Superheroes at the Clark Theater at Lincoln Center - Monday, April 6 (National Autism Awareness Month)

EPIC Players presents their annual musical benefit in honor of Autism Awareness Month. Join the talented, neuro-diverse company as they sing alongside Broadway voices led by music director, Scott Evan Davis.

Tickets include a pre-reception featuring a meet and greet with the cast and Broadway guests, open bar and hors d'oeuvres as well as access to our live auction and luxury raffle. EPIC's goal is to raise $45,000 to support at least 15 players for a full year of EPIC programming.

Doors open at 6 pm with a pre-show reception, food hall, open bar and raffle until 7:30 pm; show begins at 7:30 pm. Early Bird Tickets are on sale until February 29th and can be reserved here: https://tinyurl.com/vchg7gb.

A Midsummer Night's Dream at A.R.T./New York Theatres - May 6 – 17, 2020

EPIC tackles there second Shakespeare play with a neuro-diverse retelling of the classic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. EPIC will put their unique comedic spin on the production with an emphasis on the female characters. Aubrie Therrien directs with company member Meggan Dodd, Max Baudisch serves as assistant director.

Performances take place at A.R.T/New York Theatres, the Gural, 502 West 53rd Street (corner of 10th avenue), New York, NY 10019. Subways: A/C/E to 50th Street, A/B/C/D/1 to 59th Street.

Mixed Messages by Anton Spivak - Summer 2020

Mixed Messages is an original play by EPIC company member and neuro-diverse playwright Anton Spivack. The play was inspired by Anton’s experience in the autism community and was further developed with EPIC in their neuro-diverse, year-long playwrighting intensive.

Mixed Messages follows a college student that is on the autism spectrum as he faces expulsion due to his behavioral difficulties. He and his friend Daniela, also on the spectrum, imagine themselves to be from another planet. Turns out that planet is real and needs their help.

About EPIC Players Inclusion Company 

EPIC Players--which stands for empower, perform, include and create--is a nonprofit, neuro-diverse theatre company in New York City. Founded in 2016, EPIC provides opportunities for performers with developmental disabilities to represent themselves on stage and screen. EPIC seeks to use the performing arts as a vehicle to empower artists with developmental disabilities and pioneer increased inclusion in the arts.

EPIC provides yearlong classes, at no charge to the participants, in acting, audition technique, improv, film and playwrighting. EPIC’s productions feature neuro-diverse artists that work in all capacities of theatre including acting, writing, stage management, design and backstage work.

Funding for EPIC’s season of programming is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council. EPIC’s season is also made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Operating support for The EPIC Player’s is provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation New York Theater Program in partnership with the Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York.

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