CO/LAB THEATER GROUP INC

CO/LAB (Creative Opportunities without Limits And Boundaries) Theater Group offers individuals with developmental disabilities a creative and social outlet through theater arts. We create a judgement free and neuro-diverse environment that allows participants to express themselves in class and on stage. Through our programs, we encourage actors to collaborate as an ensemble and discover their individual voices. The actors who attend CO/LAB workshops and classes identify as having autism, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, and PDD-NOS, among other developmental disabilities. CO/LAB reaches actors as young as nine and as old as eighty-nine, and offers financially accessible programs to all. Since its inception in 2011, CO/LAB has expanded from one pilot class of thirteen actors to a full schedule of theater classes for youth and adults with developmental disabilities, serving over 200 individuals each year with classes in musical theater, ensemble theater, puppetry, and more.

Because of the absence of engagement – creative and otherwise – in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities, part of CO/LAB’s mission is to provide a social outlet. CO/LAB develops interpersonal connections, imaginative thinking, physical and vocal awareness, and communication skills; all through the lens of theater. CO/LAB encourages positive interactions among its participants and staff alike – its inclusive 2:1 actor-to-support ratio provides individuals with and without disabilities a chance to interact, collaborate, and explore theater together.

Now beginning our ninth season, CO/LAB is embarking on a three-year strategic plan which spans from July 2019 to June 2022 and will take us through our 10th anniversary season. Our strategic plan was developed by representative stakeholders from every part of CO/LAB’s network; including our Advocacy Committee, which is made up of CO/LAB actors with developmental disabilities, their parents, Board members, Teaching and Supporting Artists, and staff.

CO/LAB advances its mission through three branches of programming:

CO/LAB:core is our core theater curriculum for individuals with developmental disabilities. This program includes an offering of six classes per semester, each of which meets weekly over the course of several months. All of CO/LAB’s weekly classes are free for actors and their families. Class topics include ensemble theater, musical theater, comedy, and puppetry. These classes culminate in three fully-staged productions each year and are offered to between 12 and 15 actors per class.

CO/LAB:connect is our community engagement and partnership program. Through :connect, CO/LAB works with partner organizations to bring our programs outside of the CO/LAB classroom. This includes one-day workshops, multi-week residencies, public events, and more.

CO/LAB:leaders is our program in which adult veteran CO/LAB actors with developmental disabilities assist our Teaching Artists at our outreach and youth programs. Seven of CO/LAB’s actors are part of CO/LAB:leaders, and are paid a stipend for their work and required trainings. Our :leaders join us at CO/LAB:connect programs, our weekly youth class, and during Camp BlueLAB.