ABOUT US
Bold talent. Brighter futures. A stage open to everyone.
Who We Are
EPIC Players (Empower, Perform, Include, Create), founded on August 25, 2016, is a New York City and Los Angeles based 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.
Representation
changes lives.
Neurodivergent and Disable artists bring invaluable perspectives to the stage. Yet the performing arts industry continues to lack meaningful inclusion. These statistics reveal why our work is so important.
32%
of working-age adults with disabilities are unemployed.
2%
of entertainment roles are writen for disabled characters.
94%
of those roles are played by able-bodies or neurotypical actors.
EPIC Players is working to change these statistics by supporting neurodiverse communities in the creative process and elevating authentic representation on New York City and Los Angeles stages.
What We Do
We create professional theater, meaningful education, and supportive community for Neurodivergent and Disabled artists. Our programs provide real opportunities to develop talent, build confidence, and me seen on stage and beyond.
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MAINSTAGE
EPIC produces two neuro-diverse mainstage productions per year reaching audiences of over 1600 people in venues all across New York City.
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ORIGINALS
EPIC works with Players to create two original works per year: EPIC Plays devised piece and The EPIC Underground stand-up show.
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CABARET
EPIC produces two, neuro-diverse cabarets per year at venues like Joe’s Pub at The Public and The Clark Theater at Lincoln Center.
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EDUCATION
EPIC provides its community with over 100 free performing classes per year and partners with schools to bring EPIC into the classroom.
30%
Of EPIC audience members indicated that ours was thefirst neuro-diverse production they had witnessed; and that they were likely to return or seek out similar performances.
What people
are saying.
Our work inspires audiences, builds community, and changes perspectives.
Here's what some of our community members have to say:
“While EPIC was in my theater, I was able to rebuild my thinking about access and opportunity within the contexts I worked in on a daily basis. I felt like their presence helped me to achieve a greater understanding, not only of the autism community, among others, but also my own neuro-typical community, and how their mission could help my own.”
— Tim C.
“I have such positive experiences at EPIC Players shows that its hard for me to put into words how much I love the events! First, everything is done on a top notch level. The enthusiasm of the actors for their roles is inspiring... I used to look forward to my favorite director's films, but now I look forward to EPIC Players.”
— EPIC Audience Members
“EPIC's Virtual programs are helping me because it gives me structure and many of the programs are fun for me. I am happy to be able to still have them and participate and learn new things. It’s great that we have this technology to allow us to continue having classes.”
— Gideon P.