Sharing the Stage

A professional development workshop to build teams that are inclusive, collaborative, and welcoming

CO/LAB’s workshops serve as a leadership accelerator, empowering leaders to champion DEI and accessibility initiatives positioning your organization as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) and innovation leader.

We’ve developed this workshop to offer our theater techniques as tools to foster interpersonal connection and to share our proven approach to providing access and inclusivity in the workplace.

Our workshops foster inclusivity and creativity and drive social and business value by enhancing team building, engagement, and corporate culture. We challenge participants to redefine CSR, leveraging inclusivity as a competitive advantage through practical tools for engaging with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Supporting Your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts

Elevate Diverse Perspectives
Gain firsthand insights from individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their lived experiences will foster a deeper, more nuanced understanding of accessibility and inclusion within your organization.

Foster Inclusive Environments
Our interactive workshops emphasize collaboration, empathy, and creating welcoming spaces. Participants will acquire practical strategies and tools to enhance accessibility and cultivate a culture of belonging.

Intersectional Approach
Our workshop addresses the intersections of disability with other marginalized identities. By examining language, terminology, and real-world scenarios, we complement your existing antiracism, leadership, and professional development programs.

Continuous Improvement
Our workshops prompt critical self-reflection on the inclusivity of your organizational practices and spaces. This process sparks a dedication to ongoing growth and elevating diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

How It Works

  • The workshop utilizes theater practices to provide strategies and tools for working with individuals with developmental disabilities in an inviting, safe, creative space.

  • Facilitated by two CO/LAB Teaching Artists and supported by two CO/LAB:Leaders, experienced CO/LAB participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

  • Discusses language and terminology, walks participants through potential scenarios, and offers space for thoughtful discussion and collaboration.

What You’ll Explore

Sharing the Stage provides strategies for supporting team members, including those who may have intellectual or developmental disabilities, while addressing common questions to empower your understanding and inclusivity, such as:

  • Should I say high functioning and low functioning? Able-bodied? Disabled?

  • What’s the difference between Neurodivergent and Neurodiverse?

  • What is stimming?

  • What if someone on my team seems autistic?

Let’s Get Started

For more information, custom proposals, and bookings, email: programs@colabtheatergroup.com

Workshops use basic theater practices to provide strategies and tools for working with individuals with developmental disabilities in an inviting, safe, creative space. These interactive workshops are facilitated by two CO/LAB Teaching Artists and supported by two CO/LAB:Leaders, experienced CO/LAB participants with developmental disabilities. We will discuss language and terminology, walk participants through potential scenarios, and offer space for thoughtful discussion and collaboration. Though this workshop is grounded in theater practices, it is accessible and suitable to all people—no previous theater experience required!

Best of all, this workshop is customizable to you and your organization’s needs. We will have an introductory call to learn about your company and group and make sure that our workshop is tailored to your unique audience.

5 Reasons to Engage CO/LAB’s Services

  1. CO/LAB's workshops promote inclusivity, especially for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, aligning with DEI goals for a diverse and accessible workplace.

  2. CO/LAB workshops utilize theater techniques to improve collaboration and empathy when working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, offering valuable professional development.

  3. By participating in CO/LAB's workshops, corporate employees can become advocates for accessibility, promoting a culture of inclusivity within the organization and beyond.

  4. CO/LAB offers customizable workshops to meet an organization's specific needs, ensuring that the content is relevant and impactful for the participants.

  5. CO/LAB emphasizes collaboration, community, and creativity, which can help foster a positive corporate culture and improve employee interpersonal connections.

How will this benefit my organization?

  • Provide tools for collaborating with peers, colleagues, and/or ensemble members.

  • Present an opportunity to collaborate with and learn from individuals who have a developmental disability.

  • Inspire participants to ask questions of themselves and others.

  • Explore the societal experiences of individuals with developmental disabilities.

  • Encourage participants to be advocates for accessibility.

Bring CO/LAB to your organization.

If you are interested in bringing CO/LAB to your organization, get in touch!