ArtStream, Inc.

10/03/2026

It was a pleasure speaking with Special Ed Rising about our 20+ years of providing inclusive theatre opportunities for our amazing performers with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs).

Check out Hayley Cutler and Adrian Forsythe’s interview at https://specialedrising.com/special-ed-rising-podcast/ .

🎭 Learn about our upcoming performances and programs at www.Art-Stream.org .

Thanks for your support of local inclusive arts!

🎭 SPECIAL ED RISING: NO PARENT LEFT BEHIND

Performing Beyond Expectations: The Transformative Power of Inclusive Theater
What happens when people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are given the opportunity not just to perform, but to create, collaborate, express themselves, and tell their own stories?

In this episode, we explore the power of inclusive theater through the work of ArtStream, a nonprofit dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for artists with disabilities.
I’m joined by Hayley Cutler, MFA, Artistic Director of ArtStream, and Adrian Forsythe, an ArtStream performer since its founding in 2005, now entering his 21st season.

We talk about building confidence, creating community, authentic representation, self-advocacy, and what can happen when we stop defining people by limitations and start recognizing their possibilities.

🎙️ Every piece is original. Every story is unique. Everyone deserves a chance to perform their art.

Listen to this inspiring episode of Special Ed Rising: No Parent Left Behind at specialedrising or wherever you get your podcasts!

Learn more about ArtStream at art-stream.org.

Inclusion IDD SelfAdvocacy PerformingArts NothingAboutUsWithoutUs

09/26/2026

Virginia Launch Party Update: We’re Moving to October 4!

Due to a venue-related issue out of our control, the Virginia Launch Party has been moved to Sunday, October 4, from 4pm - 6pm.

We hope you can join us at the The Auld Shebeen to celebrate then!

And don’t forget, this event includes an open mic for ArtStreamers, so come ready to perform!

09/25/2026

ArtStream is heartbroken to announce the passing of Merry Casillas - actress, friend and beloved community member.

Merry has been with ArtStream from the very beginning and would have been starting her 21st season as an ArtStream company member next month.

We will miss her dearly and know that Virginia Company A won't be the same without her wit, sass, thoughtfulness and talent.

08/31/2026

What a night! ArtStream’s Maryland season launch party was pure joy from start to finish. Huge congratulations and heartfelt thanks to every performer who took the stage tonight. Your courage, talent, and passion for singing, dancing and clowning around.

Thank you to our incredible performers, the ArtStream staff and teaching artists who made it all happen, and everyone who came out to celebrate with us. Here’s to an amazing season ahead!

08/30/2026

FREE! TODAY at 4pm - 7pm at McGinty's Public House in Silver Spring!

Support inclusive theatre in the DMV.

Coming up THIS WEEKEND:

ArtStream's Maryland Season Launch Party!

See ArtStream teaching artists and staff perform, and participate in the ArtStreamer Open Mic, where ArStreamers can perform a song, tell a joke, do a dance, read a poem, or perform anything they've been practicing this summer!

Food will be available for purchase and will not be provided by ArtStream.

We hope to see you there!

What:
ArtStream's Maryland Season Launch Party

When:
Sunday, August 30, 2026
4pm - 7pm

Where:
McGinty's Public House
911 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring, MD

Parking:
There are multiple parking garages in Downtown Silver Spring.
The closest garages to the venue are:
- Town Square Garage (recommended and closest to McGinty's)
- Wayne Avenue Garage

All parking in the garages are paid parking - either using the ParkMobile App or at a kiosk in the garage.

PLEASE RSVP HERE:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/art-stream/event/seasonlaunches/

08/25/2026

Coming up THIS WEEKEND:

ArtStream's Maryland Season Launch Party!

See ArtStream teaching artists and staff perform, and participate in the ArtStreamer Open Mic, where ArStreamers can perform a song, tell a joke, do a dance, read a poem, or perform anything they've been practicing this summer!

Food will be available for purchase and will not be provided by ArtStream.

We hope to see you there!

What:
ArtStream's Maryland Season Launch Party

When:
Sunday, August 30, 2026
4pm - 7pm

Where:
McGinty's Public House
911 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring, MD

Parking:
There are multiple parking garages in Downtown Silver Spring.
The closest garages to the venue are:
- Town Square Garage (recommended and closest to McGinty's)
- Wayne Avenue Garage

All parking in the garages are paid parking - either using the ParkMobile App or at a kiosk in the garage.

PLEASE RSVP HERE:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/art-stream/event/seasonlaunches/

08/17/2026

ArtStream hosted a special training workshop for our teaching artists, mentors and staff with Sally Bailey, MFA, MSW, RDT/BCT, a nationally recognized leader in the field of disability theatre and drama therapy.

So much of how we train and lead at ArtStream traces back to her work, and this workshop lets our whole team learn straight from the source.

Training topics included exploration of boundaries, scriptwriting for the IDD community, improvisation prompting, and more!

08/08/2026

Sally Bailey, MFA, MSW, RDT/BCT, a nationally recognized leader in the field of disability theatre and drama therapy didn’t just study this field — she built it.

To have the person who created the barrier-free theatre movement come work directly with ArtStream’s directors and mentors is an incredible opportunity.

So much of how we train and lead at ArtStream traces back to her work, and this workshop lets our whole team learn straight from the source.