This Ability Trailer

A CCTv Virtual Production | Recommended for ages 6 and up
Episodes Release December 15th, January 5th, January 19th
When an international cat-star escapes from O’Hare and is lost on the streets of Chicago, who will come to the rescue? Akeh, a young autistic person, uses his popular hashtag #thisability to start the search for the runaway kitty. As news spreads, will Moore, a young Deaf person, and Faith, a young Blind person, be able to follow Akeh’s lead and learn to use their superpowers to save the day?
This Ability features live actors performing with animated backgrounds on film. As the story follows each of the three characters in turn, a different style is used to represent each of their journeys from the point of view of their very special disability. Fun, fast-paced action and striking artwork convey the distinct ways our heros/sheros experience the world, challenging perceptions along the way of what it means to be a hero.
This Ability is the third production to emerge from the Springboard Project, an initiative launched in 2020 by Chicago Children’s Theatre to foster new works made especially for today’s young people.
This Ability is made possible in part by a grant from The Ralla Klepak Trust for the Performing Arts.
Co-Written and Directed by Daniel Carlton
Co-Written and Assistant Directed by Nambi E. Kelley
Director of Photography Jeff Paschal
Composer and Sound Designed by Andy Slater
Costume Designed by Sky Cubacub
Media Designed by Leo Lei
Assistant Media Designer Rachel Peterkin
Props Designed by Lonnae Hickman
ASL Interpreter Patti Shore Kaden
Autism Consultant Charlotte “Chuck” Gruma
Blind and Low-Vision Consultant Elijah Eiler
Production CoordinatorAnastar Alvarez
Cast Kayla Casiano, Holly Connor, & Kevin Smith
Voice-overs by Time Brickey & Lily Emerson
Thank you for your continued engagement with Chicago Children’s Theatre.