If you’re planning to be in or around New York City this week, there’s still time to catch EPIC Players’ production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Rent. One reason this production is especially unique is that EPIC Players is an inclusive theater company dedicated to showcasing the talents of neurodivergent and disabled performers.
Founded by Aubrie Therrien in 2016, EPIC — an acronym for Empower, Perform, Include, Create — is a nonprofit neurodiverse theater company committed to creating professional performing arts opportunities and supportive artistic communities for neurodivergent and disabled artists.
Organizations like EPIC fill a critical gap in the entertainment industry. Despite ongoing conversations about diversity and inclusion, performers with disabilities remain significantly underrepresented on stage and screen. According to EPIC, while only about 2 percent of roles are written for people with disabilities, the overwhelming majority of those roles are still played by nondisabled actors. As a result, even talented performers with extensive training often struggle to find opportunities to work in the entertainment field.
In 2025, Therrien, who also serves as the company’s executive and artistic director, told Dance Enthusiast magazine that she founded EPIC to “create an opportunity for neurodiverse or disabled individuals to shine and express themselves on stage.” She added that she and her colleagues share the belief that “people can be born with a disability and also talent, and they should be able to pursue that pathway, not just recreationally, but as a professional.”
To that end, EPIC offers an impressive array of programs and opportunities, many of which are paid. Members can audition for two mainstage productions each year, as well as original productions and cabaret performances at iconic New York venues such as Joe’s Pub and Lincoln Center. The company also provides free classes in arts administration, narrative storytelling, music foundations, scene study, musical theater, puppetry, film acting, film production, voice, and movement. Mentorship and career development opportunities help participants build skills both on and off the stage.
Over the years, EPIC has staged acclaimed productions of Seussical the Musical, Spring Awakening, Romeo and Juliet, and Into the Woods, among many others. Beyond the company’s commitment to theatrical excellence, EPIC is also concerned about the experiences of audience members. The company offers select accessible performances, including ASL-interpreted, captioned, and audio-described shows. In addition, every performance provides ADA seating for wheelchair users and companions, assisted-listening devices, noise-canceling headphones, fidgets, quiet zones, and a relaxed atmosphere where individuals can feel free to move around and vocalize as needed.
Membership in EPIC is free, though admission is by audition.
To learn more about joining the company and/or obtaining tickets for Rent, visit epicplayersnyc.org.
