CO/LAB:leaders

Taking a cue from the movement for disability rights idea of "nothing about us without us," CO/LAB decided to start this leadership program to prepare CO/LAB actors to be artistic mentors, model positive leadership, be ambassadors for the organization, and serve as an advisory committee to CO/LAB’s leadership team.

In its first two seasons, the CO/LAB:leaders trained adult CO/LAB actors to be camp counselors for Camp BlueLAB, a two-week summer program for young actors developed with Bluelaces Theater Company. These youth actors with disabilities were able to see, work with, and learn from our adult actors with disabilities. Since then, the program has expanded to include more opportunities.

Currently led by Senior Program Manager Maddie Rostami, the Leaders meet regularly to discuss ways in which they can lead at CO/LAB on a deeper organizational level. They also discuss leadership strategies and goals that they can bring back to their CO/LAB:core classes and use in their home and work environments outside of CO/LAB.

Meet our Leaders!

We asked our current CO/LAB:leaders how they can be a leader, and what they loved most about CO/LAB.

Here's what they had to say:

  • DANIELLE

    I can be a leader by representing the actors on the 10th Anniversary Committee.

  • DEWITT

    I can be a leader by helping the new generation of actors.

  • EMANUEL

    As a leader, I’m looking forward to learning how to facilitate groups.

  • JAMES

    As a leader, I’m looking forward to truly being able to make a difference.

  • KIRSTEN

    I can be a leader by teaching some youth actors in a CO/LAB class.

  • LINDA

    I can be a leader by going to different schools and teaching people of all ages about acting and theater.

  • MARINA

  • MASAKI

    My favorite thing about CO/LAB is performing with everybody at the show.

  • MATTHEW

  • SAMANTHA

    As a leader, I’m looking forward to facilitating in various communities.

  • SYLVIA

How are CO/LAB:leaders involved with the organization?

CO/LAB Classes

CO/LAB:leaders have worked as classroom support in many of our youth CO/LAB:core classes. Leaders model activities, encourage participation, and assist Teaching Artists working with our young actors. Leaders have also been classroom support in CO/LAB:connect workshops, modeling our signature curriculum to participants who may be experiencing CO/LAB for the first time.

Professional Development

CO/LAB:leaders have been co-facilitators in our professional development workshops. These workshops are often offered to participants who want to learn more about working or creating theater with people with developmental disabilities.

Organizational Leadership

Finally, our leaders play an important role in our organizational activities. Often, Leaders are present at our annual staff, Board, and Supporting Artist orientations. There, they are ambassadors for CO/LAB to people just joining our organization. Leaders share our organizational values, talk about why our programs are important to them, and share their experiences as actors at CO/LAB. Additionally, leaders have been involved in brainstorming sessions for CO/LAB’s 10th anniversary and CO/LAB’s 10-year vision