Celebrating their 9th anniversary, A.B.L.E.—Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations, creates theatre and film for, with, and by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A.B.L.E. programs strive to foster agency, and nurture lifelong skills like communication, collaboration, and creativity.
APR 25–27, 2025
Presented by A.B.L.E.—Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations
Co-Directed by Lawrence Kern & Katie Yohe
Upstairs Studio
Community Partner
Frankenstein
Re-wired by the A.B.L.E. Ensemble
Presented by A.B.L.E.—Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations
Co-Directed by Lawrence Kern & Katie Yohe
Upstairs Studio
Run Time: Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission
Content Warnings: Frankenstein contains scenes depicting bullying, threats of violence, and death. The production design includes recorded music, projection, and some low, slow pulsing light. To learn more about what to expect during this performance, visit our Sensory Advisory Guide.
Accessibility at ALL performances:
- Open captioning
- Relaxed performance, including a designated movement zone
- Sensory Support tools available
- Wheelchair Access
- Masks required out of consideration for our immunocompromised community members
- The show on Sunday, April 27 is dual ASL interpreted
How far would you go to chase a dream?
A.B.L.E.—Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations—a Chicago-based nonprofit that creates theatre and film for, with, and by individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), is thrilled to return to Chicago Shakespeare Theater with a punk-inspired re-telling of Frankenstein.
The neurodiverse ensemble will transform The Upstairs Studio into a run-down punk club called The Arctic, and trade off playing multiple characters as they bring Frankenstein and the Creature’s stories to life. The production blends music, movement, and scenes devised by the group into a powerful exploration of ambition, isolation, and the balance between the head and the heart.
ABLE is committed to removing barriers, and that includes ensuring our work is financially accessible for everyone who wants to attend. Performances will be available to stream On Demand from ableensemble.com/athome later this year.
Run Time: Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission
Content Warnings: Frankenstein contains scenes depicting bullying, threats of violence, and death. The production design includes recorded music, projection, and some low, slow pulsing light. To learn more about what to expect during this performance, visit our Sensory Advisory Guide.
Accessibility at ALL performances:
- Open captioning
- Relaxed performance, including a designated movement zone
- Sensory Support tools available
- Wheelchair Access
- Masks required out of consideration for our immunocompromised community members
- The show on Sunday, April 27 is dual ASL interpreted
