Beyond the curtain: EPIC Players Theater redefines the stage in Fort Greene
With nearly 200 artists involved, the organization is opening doors to Broadway and beyond, while creating a sense of belonging many performers say feels like home.
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At EPIC Players Theater, the magic of performance goes far deeper than what unfolds under the spotlight. It’s not just a stage, it’s a space where neurodivergent and disabled artists are recognized, celebrated, and given the tools to truly shine.
“You can't be what you can't see. We want society overall to see these amazing individuals and their talent and then hire them outside of us,” said Aubrie Therrien, Executive Artistic Director of EPIC Players.
Through a combination of live performances, hands-on workshops, and a tight-knit creative community, EPIC Players has become a transformative force in New York’s theater scene.
With nearly 200 artists involved, the organization is opening doors to Broadway and beyond, while creating a sense of belonging many performers say feels like home.
For EPIC Player Eric Fegan, that inclusive environment makes all the difference.
“My autism isn't something that I need to work around in in theater, But it is part of my identity. They center inclusion and put everyone in the position they need to be in to succeed,” he shared.
That commitment to inclusion is front and center in the company’s upcoming production of Rent, featuring a cast that is 99% neurodivergent and disabled. At EPIC Players, the focus is on meeting each artist where they are - empowering them to tell their stories in their own authentic way.
“What I love about EPIC - it gives everyone who's a member an opportunity to really show off their talents and be themselves,” said performer Conor Tague.
Beyond the stage, EPIC Players continues to invest in its artists through education. The organization offers more than 100 free classes, ranging from acting technique to improv - all designed to help performers grow and refine their craft.
“No matter who you are, you have talent and it's all about where we choose to shine that spotlight- we're making that spotlight Nero inclusive in a system where it historically has not been such,” said Briana Gibson Reeves, Education Director.
Audiences will have the chance to experience that talent firsthand when Rent takes the stage for two performances, running June 4th through the 14th.
