In the world of theater, EPIC Players (Empower, Perform, Include, Create) stands as a beacon of inclusivity and empowerment. Founded on August 25, 2016, this nonprofit, neuro-diverse theater company is on a mission to revolutionize the landscape of performing arts by providing professional opportunities and fostering supportive communities for Neurodivergent and Disabled artists. EPIC Players doesn't just stage productions; they orchestrate movements. Through their inclusive mainstage productions, musical cabarets, original showcases, skills-based classes, and career resources, they are rewriting the narrative of employment for individuals living with developmental disabilities. In a world where only 32% of eligible working-age individuals with disabilities are employed, EPIC Players is leading the charge for change. Determined to shatter stereotypes and challenge societal norms, EPIC Players confronts the stark reality that only 2% of roles in the entertainment industry are written for characters living with disabilities, and a staggering 94% of these roles are portrayed by able-bodied or neuro-typical actors. #changethestats isn't just a hashtag for EPIC Players; it's a battle cry for equality and representation. At the heart of EPIC's vision lies a commitment to providing a platform where neuro-diverse communities can not only be represented but also heard. With a minimum of two professional, neuro-diverse productions staged annually on New York City's prestigious stages, EPIC Players has carved out a space where creativity knows no bounds. From The Flea to The Sheen Center, from A.R.T./New York to the HERE Arts Center, their productions transcend barriers and captivate audiences with their authenticity and raw emotion. And now, they have unveiled their latest masterpiece, Spring Awakening. With music by Duncan Sheik and winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, this show delves into the tumultuous journey of adolescence, exploring themes of attraction, desire, sex, insecurity, and the rollercoaster ride of young adult life. But what sets this production apart is its unique perspective, brought to life by the talented neurodivergent community members of EPIC Players. This isn't just a re-telling; it's a revelation—a testament to the power of inclusivity and the magic of theater. Stay tuned for Season 2 of The Spotlight Series in Fall 2024 as we focus on this amazing company and the EPIC work they are doing onstage and off. --- Music: "Divergence" by Filo Starquez is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/ https://hypeddit.com/filostarquez/divergence-1 Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Throughout the year, week after week, the actors of Only Make Believe, along with the staff, create and perform interactive and engaging theater in children’s hospitals, special education schools, and care facilities. It allows these children which medically fragile conditions to truly be the star of the show. But one night each year is set aside to celebrate the work that they do as well as continue to raise funds for this wonderful organization in their annual gala. And this final episode of the season will take you onto the red carpet as I got to speak with some of the presenters, performers, and honorees: Justin Guarini Alicia Quarles Brooke Shields Brad Oscar Natasha Yvette Williams Alyssa May Gold Caesar Samayoa Ellen Adair A. J. Shively Melinda Doolittle J. Harrison Ghee Orpeh --- To learn more about Only Make Believe and how you can be a part of their mission to help children, please visit their website for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Only Make Believe started in New York City and has since opened an office Washington, DC with outreach in several other cities as well. And every November they have an all-star gala on Broadway to raise funds and awareness for the incredible work they do for children across the country. For our sixth episode, I’m bringing you a conversation from my other podcast, Why I’ll Never Make It. Joe DiPietro is has been with OMB since its inception, serving on the board board of directors and has also been the director of that annual gala. Joe is certainly no stranger to theater, having been writing for the stage since 1991. His musicals and plays have received multiple awards and nominations on and off-Broadway, namely Memphis starring Montego Glover and the longest-running revue in New York history, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. In addition to his connection with Only Make Believe, we’ll talk about his first introduction to theater and then later on about his frist Broadway show All Shook Up. --- To learn more about the Only Make Believe gala and how you can be a part of their mission to help children, then please visit their website for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our fifth episode, we will hear from Maria Peyramaure, a bilingual stage and screen actress and teaching artist. Growing up in Madrid, Spain and later on in Georgia, she eventually moved to New York City in 2005. After years of establishing herself here, she eventually learned about Only make Believe and joined the acting company in 2018. We’ll talk about her work between theater and on-camera as well as get a behind the scenes look at interactive theater sessions at the various facilities and what it means to the children. --- To learn more about Only Make Believe and how you can be a part of their mission to help children, then please visit their website for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our fourth episode, we will hear from Tony Award winner J. Harrison Ghee. He will be performing at this year’s annual gala for Only Make Believe on November 6th. I first met and worked with J. in a production of Kinky Boots at The Muny in St. Louis. It was a fantastic production and J. definitely stole the show as Lola. We discuss that role as well as his award-winning turn in Some Like It Hot, and talk about the community that theater brings to all actors, especially those looking for a place to belong and be their best selves. --- To learn more about Only Make Believe and how you can be a part of their mission to help children, then please visit their website for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our third episode, we will hear from multi-talented actor and voiceover artist David Shih, who has been an actor and member of the Only Make Believe family since. He was most recently on Broadway with the amazing play Life of Pi, a visually stunning piece that was gone way too soon, in my humble opinion. David has also performed off-Broadway in shows like KPOP (Ars Nova), Awake and Sing (The Public), and Somebody’s Daughter (2nd Stage). We’ll also get into his on-camera work in TV and film as well as what it takes to bring characters to life with just his voice and how that imagination is at play as an actor with Only Make Believe as well. --- To learn more about Only Make Believe and how you can support them and be a part of their mission to help children, then please visit their website for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our second episode, we will hear from theater husbands Diego Prieto and Brad Oscar. Diego is a long-time actor in the company and has brought theater to thousands of children, while Brad serves on the board of Only Make Believe and regularly performs in their annual galas. We talk about how it was the stage that brought them together, what led each of them to come to New York, and how OMB has affected both of their lives in profound ways. It’s a wonderful example of how imagination inspires us to not only better our own lives but the lives of those around us as well. --- To learn more about Only Make Believe and how you can support them and be a part of their mission to help children, then please visit their website for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this first episode, we will hear from the Executive Artistic Director of Only Make Believe, Tamela Aldridge. She first started out as one of their actors, and she shares how theater has inspired her from a young age. Tamela went on to become OMB’s first regional director in Washington, DC. Now she heads up the entire organization with a spirit of empathy and energy that will continue to further the reach and growth of OMB for years to come. --- To learn more about Only Make Believe and how you can support them and be a part of their mission to help children, then please visit their website for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The arts are not just important as a means of creativity and enjoyment, but they’re also a source of inspiration and at times even healing, and it is this guiding principle that led to the founding of Only Make Believe. And in this first season of The Spotlight Series, we’ll be talking with those who work for and support this important organization that brings interactive theater to children. It was established by Dena Hammerstein back in 1999, in memory of her husband James, son of theater legend Oscar Hammerstein, for his dedication to the theater and her own passionate love for children in need. Well, in the 24 years since, they have brought professional actors to more than 45 facilities in New York City, as well as 15 in and around Washington, DC—where more than 90,000 children have starred in over 5000 shows. I’m Patrick Oliver Jones, a volunteer and supporter with Only Make Believe since 2010, and in this first season, you’ll hear from those on staff and some of the actors in the OMB company as well as some of the Tony-nominated performers at their annual gala on Broadway. With the help and contributions of the Broadway Podcast Network, my hope is that through The Spotlight Series you’ll learn more about these amazing children and discover the meaningful impact of Only Make Believe in their lives. Here is how you can help Only Make Believe as they bring the magic of theater to children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices