We all love Broadway – the glitz, the glamour, the electric energy of those bright lights, and the jaw-dropping performances by some seriously talented people. But beyond all that sparkle, there's something more meaningful that connects us – the joy of witnessing authentic performances and seeing raw talent truly shine. 

Stephanie Torns is the perfect example of that. You might know her from her standout roles in the Broadway hits Wicked and Waitress, She's shown incredible dedication and stamina, bringing some of our favorite characters to life night after night. But Stephanie's impact goes way beyond just the stage.

Recently, she’s taken on a new role with EPIC Players, a theater company with a heart – they’re all about empowering neurodivergent performers. Stephanie's now on the board of directors, helping bridge the Broadway community with EPIC, and fostering some incredible collaborations. For her, it’s more than just a professional role – it’s a personal mission.

In today’s episode, we’ll dive into how Stephanie found her way to EPIC Players, why supporting the neurodivergent community is so close to her heart, and the joy she’s discovered in this inclusive space. Plus, we’ll chat about her time on Broadway, what it’s really like to play roles as intense as Elphaba, and how those experiences are shaping the work she's doing with EPIC.

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In theater, balance is everything. From meeting the unique needs of performers to making sure mental health is a priority during rehearsals, the industry is always evolving. One of the biggest challenges is pushing back against the toxic idea of perfection and instead embracing the excitement of discovery.

This is exactly what EPIC Players is all about. Founded by Aubrie Therrien, who was named "New Yorker of the Week" in 2016 for her incredible work, EPIC Players is a neurodivergent theater company with a clear mission: to create professional opportunities for artists with disabilities and give them the tools and support they need to thrive. They're also tackling the stereotypes that often get in the way of access and opportunity.

Earlier this year, EPIC put on a production of the Duncan Sheik musical Spring Awakening, and I actually did a special episode all about that show. If you missed it, you can listen to it here.

Donate to support EPIC’s paid employment initiatives and free programming.

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EPIC Players is redefining what inclusivity looks like in theater, creating a space where neurodivergent and disabled artists can truly shine. Since its founding in August 2016, this nonprofit has been all about Empower, Perform, Include, Create – staying true to the acronym in every sense. Their mission? To break down barriers and ensure that everyone has the chance to build a professional career in the arts.

But EPIC isn't just about putting on productions – they’re leading a movement. Through their mainstage shows, musical cabarets, original works, and skills-based classes, they're changing the conversation about employment for people with developmental disabilities. In a world where only 32% of working-age individuals with disabilities have jobs, EPIC Players is working hard to change those numbers.

The entertainment industry has its own set of challenges. Just 2% of characters are written as having disabilities, and 94% of those roles are still played by able-bodied or neurotypical actors. EPIC Players is on a mission to flip the script. Their hashtag, #changethestats, isn’t just a catchphrase – it’s a rallying cry for better representation.

At its core, EPIC is about making sure neurodiverse communities have a platform to be seen and heard. With at least two professional productions each year on some of New York City’s most iconic stages – like The Flea, The Sheen Center, and HERE Arts Center – EPIC’s performances are celebrated for their authenticity and emotional depth.

Their latest production, Spring Awakening, is a perfect example. With music by Duncan Sheik and eight Tony Awards to its name, this show explores the messy journey of adolescence – desire, insecurity, attraction, and everything in between. What makes EPIC's version so unique is that it’s brought to life by their neurodivergent performers, adding a whole new layer of depth and meaning. It’s not just a retelling; it’s a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusive storytelling.

And be sure to stay tuned for Season 2 of The Spotlight Series this fall, where we’ll be highlighting EPIC Players and the incredible work they’re doing on and off the stage.

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Music: "Divergence" by Filo Starquez is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/

https://hypeddit.com/filostarquez/divergence-1

Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

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Throughout the year, week after week, the actors of Only Make Believe, along with the staff, create and perform interactive and engaging theater in children’s hospitals, special education schools, and care facilities. It allows these children which medically fragile conditions to truly be the star of the show. But one night each year is set aside to celebrate the work that they do as well as continue to raise funds for this wonderful organization in their annual gala. And this final episode of the season will take you onto the red carpet as I got to speak with some of the presenters, performers, and honorees:

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To learn more about Only Make Believe and how you can be a part of their mission to help children, please visit their website for more information.

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Only Make Believe started in New York City and has since opened an office Washington, DC with outreach in several other cities as well. And every November they have an all-star gala on Broadway to raise funds and awareness for the incredible work they do for children across the country. For our sixth episode, I’m bringing you a conversation from my other podcast, Why I’ll Never Make It.

Joe DiPietro is has been with OMB since its inception, serving on the board board of directors and has also been the director of that annual gala. Joe is certainly no stranger to theater, having been writing for the stage since 1991. His musicals and plays have received multiple awards and nominations on and off-Broadway, namely Memphis starring Montego Glover and the longest-running revue in New York history, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. In addition to his connection with Only Make Believe, we’ll talk about his first introduction to theater and then later on about his frist Broadway show All Shook Up.

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To learn more about the Only Make Believe gala and how you can be a part of their mission to help children, then please visit their website for more information.

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For our fifth episode, we will hear from Maria Peyramaure, a bilingual stage and screen actress and teaching artist. Growing up in Madrid, Spain and later on in Georgia, she eventually moved to New York City in 2005. After years of establishing herself here, she eventually learned about Only make Believe and joined the acting company in 2018. We’ll talk about her work between theater and on-camera as well as get a behind the scenes look at interactive theater sessions at the various facilities and what it means to the children.

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To learn more about Only Make Believe and how you can be a part of their mission to help children, then please visit their website for more information.

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For our fourth episode, we will hear from Tony Award winner J. Harrison Ghee. He will be performing at this year’s annual gala for Only Make Believe on November 6th. I first met and worked with J. in a production of Kinky Boots at The Muny in St. Louis. It was a fantastic production and J. definitely stole the show as Lola. We discuss that role as well as his award-winning turn in Some Like It Hot, and talk about the community that theater brings to all actors, especially those looking for a place to belong and be their best selves.

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To learn more about Only Make Believe and how you can be a part of their mission to help children, then please visit their website for more information.

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For our third episode, we will hear from multi-talented actor and voiceover artist David Shih, who has been an actor and member of the Only Make Believe family since. He was most recently on Broadway with the amazing play Life of Pi, a visually stunning piece that was gone way too soon, in my humble opinion. David has also performed off-Broadway in shows like KPOP (Ars Nova), Awake and Sing (The Public), and Somebody’s Daughter (2nd Stage). We’ll also get into his on-camera work in TV and film as well as what it takes to bring characters to life with just his voice and how that imagination is at play as an actor with Only Make Believe as well.

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To learn more about Only Make Believe and how you can support them and be a part of their mission to help children, then please visit their website for more information.

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For our second episode, we will hear from theater husbands Diego Prieto and Brad Oscar. Diego is a long-time actor in the company and has brought theater to thousands of children, while Brad serves on the board of Only Make Believe and regularly performs in their annual galas. We talk about how it was the stage that brought them together, what led each of them to come to New York, and how OMB has affected both of their lives in profound ways. It’s a wonderful example of how imagination inspires us to not only better our own lives but the lives of those around us as well.

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To learn more about Only Make Believe and how you can support them and be a part of their mission to help children, then please visit their website for more information.

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In this first episode, we will hear from the Executive Artistic Director of Only Make Believe, Tamela Aldridge. She first started out as one of their actors, and she shares how theater has inspired her from a young age. Tamela went on to become OMB’s first regional director in Washington, DC. Now she heads up the entire organization with a spirit of empathy and energy that will continue to further the reach and growth of OMB for years to come.

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To learn more about Only Make Believe and how you can support them and be a part of their mission to help children, then please visit their website for more information.

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