EPIC Players (which stands for Empower, Perform, Include and Create) is a theatre company in New York City founded in 2016 by Aubrie Therrien to provide opportunities for performers with developmental disabilities to represent themselves on stage and screen. 

Developmental disabilities, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy, are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period and may impact day-to-day functioning, usually lasting throughout a person’s lifetime. There are over 15.2 million people in the U.S. affected by developmental disabilities and  90,000 in New York City alone. Over the last 12 years, the prevalence of developmental disabilities has increased 17.1%—with the prevalence of Autism increased by 289.5% and the prevalence of ADHD increased 33.0%.   Primary caretakers of persons living with developmental disabilities often do not have the time or resources to provide creative outlets, socialization opportunities or job training resources for these individuals to grow necessary skills for life advancement. According to the most recent Department of Labor occupation data for persons living with disabilities, only one-third (32.0%) of eligible working-age individuals are employed on average. Those who are employed have typically low-paying occupations in transportation, production or the service industry. In the entertainment industry, 94% of roles for actors living with all disabilities are played by neuro-typical or able-bodied actors.  The performing arts is arguably one of the greatest forms of social and behavioral therapy that exists today, with developmentally disabled and neuro-typical actors both using this tool to boost self-esteem, discover their personal identity and form long-lasting peer relationships. The theatre community of New York City offers a plethora of performing arts opportunities in stage and screen; it is time actors with developmental disabilities gain access to them.  E.P.I.C. Players believes that we can redefine the face of theatre arts, create employment opportunities for our artists, and provide our community with an active theatre experience that will promote positive peer interaction, sharpen communication skills and improve overall self-esteem and confidence. We hope to advocate for previously unexplored career paths for those living with developmental disabilities and become an inclusive social resource for performing artists living with developmental disabilities seeking to represent themselves, their community and their talent on stage and screen

Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period and may impact day-to-day functioning, usually lasting throughout a person’s lifetime. There are over 15.2 million people in the U.S. affected by developmental disabilities and over the last 12 years, the prevalence of developmental disabilities has increased 17.1%—with the prevalence of autism increased by 289.5%.  

According to the most recent Department of Labor occupation data for persons living with disabilities, only one-third (32.0%) of eligible working-age individuals are employed on average. Those who are employed have typically low-paying occupations in transportation, production or the service industry.  In the entertainment industry, 94% of roles for actors living with all disabilities are played by neuro-typical or able-bodied actors.  

EPIC Players believes that we can redefine the face of theatre arts, create employment opportunities for our artists, and provide our community with an active theatre experience that will promote positive peer interaction, sharpen communication skills and improve overall self-esteem and confidence. We hope to advocate for previously unexplored career paths for those living with developmental disabilities and become an inclusive social resource for performing artists living with developmental disabilities seeking to represent themselves, their community and their talent on stage and screen.