Entertainment

Man in red suit gestures and speaks on a stage with the bluff movie image on a large screen behind him

The Making of “The Bluff”— Interview with Filmmaker Frank E. Flowers

Filmmaker Frank E. Flowers grew up in the Cayman Islands, where storytelling was part of everyday life—an influence that later shaped the voice behind films like Haven and his more recent work on Bob Marley: One Love. That foundation fueled his latest film, The Bluff, an action-driven story rooted in Caribbean history and resilience. In … Read more

tina friml on stage doing stand up wearing green pants

Comedian Tina Friml — A Standout in Standup

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Tina Friml is a stand-up comedian whose sharp, off-kilter humor has earned her national attention. She has appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Comedy Central,” and “The Drew Barrymore Show.” Her live performances span major comedy festivals and international stages, including the “Netflix Is a Joke Festival,” “Rogue Island Comedy Festival” and clubs … Read more

Segerstrom’s Studio D — Interview with Casey Reitz and Chloe Saalsaa

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The Segerstrom Center for the Arts, located in Costa Mesa, California, is a renowned performing arts complex that opened in 1986. It offers a broad range of world-class performances and innovative education and training programs like the American Ballet Theatre School. The Center is home to multiple performance and concert venues that incorporate a wide … Read more

woman in teal dress sitting on bed behind a man in a white top also sitting on the bed - her arms are around his neck and his right arm is reaching up and across to hold onto her left arm

John Leguizamo Interview

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John Leguizamo’s breakthrough one-man shows influenced generations of performers of color to create their own art with authenticity. His characters include “Javier,” a wheelchair user, and his deaf “Uncle Manny,” who were based on real life family members. Leguizamo’s efforts to bring the stories of disenfranchised populations to light is evident in his stage productions … Read more

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EPIC Players Inclusive Theater Company

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Founded in 2016, EPIC Players theater company was created as a neuro-diverse theater environment dedicated to creating professional performing arts opportunities for neurodivergent and disabled artists. To achieve this goal, EPIC offers inclusive mainstage productions, musical cabarets, original showcases and skills-based classes and career recourses. ABILITY Magazine’s Jennifer Woodall met EPIC performers Josh Cartagena and … Read more

Tobias Forrest, Eileen Grubba and Austin Basis eating dinner with fireplace in background

“Dead End Drive” short film, long on talent

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A fun sized short film “Dead End Drive” is LIVE so if you’re hungry for some entertainment, it’s just a click away. Starring ABILITY Magazine friends Tobias Forrest, Eileen Grubba and Austin Basis. Executive producer David Zimmerman and directed by Alexander Yellen. Video with Captions: Video with Audio Descriptions:

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Abigail Hawk — Authentic Representation is Long Overdue

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Abigail Hawk, known for her roles in “Blue Bloods”, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and Distemper recently appeared in the new independent film, “Daruma.” Hawk plays Anna who is a supporting role to two authentically cast disabled leading men. Tobias (Toby) Forrest plays “Patrick”, a paraplegic, and John Lawson plays the grouchy neighbor … Read more

Peter Farrelly picture with copy stating, there's something about peter

There’s Something About Peter — Interview with Peter Farrelly

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Known for his cinematic hits such as “Dumb and Dumber,” “There’s Something About Mary,” and the Oscar-winning “Green Book,” Farrelly has consistently transcended the status quo by authentically representing people with disabilities in his films. His commitment to inclusivity not only reflects the realities of life but also enriches his work by offering audiences … Read more

Black and white image of Kenton Hall, a man with chin-long brown hair and a beard. He is standing in an empty room with bare brick walls and the sun is shining through small windows.

Kenton Hall – My Bipolar and Getting Where I Needed to Be

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Kenton Hall is a singer/songwriter, filmmaker, author, and proud dad of twin daughters, and he has just released his double album “Idiopath” and “Omniopath,” featuring 33 1/3 tracks. Hall also has bipolar disorder, diagnosed after he ran away from his abusive parents from Canada to the UK as a teenager. ABILITY Magazine’s Karina Sturm speaks … Read more

Morgan’s Wonderland — An Accessible Fun-der-land

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While splashing in a hotel pool in 2006, Gordon Hartman’s daughter, Morgan, approached some children. Unable to speak, she tapped a ball at them eager to play, but they backed away cautiously. The moment both saddened Hartman and made him determined to find a place where people like Morgan, who have cognitive or physical disabilities, … Read more

Left: Playwright and poet Laura Hogikyan accepts the VSA’s Playwright Discovery Award. Right: Stills from the production of Hogikyan’s play, The Marionette Effect

Laura Hogikyan — The Play’s the Thing

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Circa 2010-11 Some seventeen-year-olds draw inspiration from teen idols. Laura Hogikyan, a freshman at Harvard University and accomplished playwright, looks elsewhere. “When I think about who inspires me, it really does come down to family, friends and teachers,” Hogikyan said. “Big-name figures are just too far away to really be inspirational.” Hogikyan’s play, The Marionette … Read more