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Spectrum Laboratory
Spectrum Laboratory (Spec Labs) celebrates neurodiversity and inclusion in the arts. We empower and educate our student artists in music, acting, filmmaking, voiceover and animation. Students pursue their passions while learning to be successful within the larger entertainment industry. Spec Labs is a 501c3 nonprofit based in Los Angeles, that creates original works of music, film and animation. www.speclabs.org
Megan Lummus (she/her)
Megan Lummus is an openly autistic theatre director. She strives to create work that showcases the neurodivergent experience. She is the first openly autistic person to professionally direct The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Simon Stephens. Other credits include new works Love Isn't Real by AJ and Evidence! By AJ.
Katherine McCrackin (she/her)
Katherine McCrackin is an openly autistic and multiply disabled actor. She most recently appeared as Chris in a Playbill-featured production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Previous credits include Elena in the new work Love Isn't Real; Guildenstern in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead; Marianne in Constellations; Jo in Little Women; and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing.
Lex Allard (she/they)
Lex Allard is an openly AuDHD non-binary youth actor based in Niagara Falls, Ontario. She has been training for 6 years in both Windsor and the Niagara region. Their most recent role was Maleficent in Linus Hand Productions' Descendants: The Musical, with High School Musical 2 coming up fast in June. She is also an active member of the jazz choir at Laura Secord Secondary School. Previous credits include Mrs. Mayor in Seussical, Thor in The Pantolorian, Wildebeest in The Lion King, and more!
Matthew Marc Baum (he/him)
Matthew Marc Baum is a performer based out of Central NY, and graduated with a degree in Acting from the State University of New York at Fredonia. He is an SAFD-certified Actor-Combatant, with extensive training in rapier/dagger, broadsword, and single-sword stage combat techniques. Previous roles include: Narrator/Mysterious Man (Into the Woods, Fredonia TADA), Mickey Marcus (The Normal Heart, Fredonia TADA), Apothecary/Montague swordsman/Benvolio understudy (Romeo and Juliet, Main Street Studios), and Roger Dagworth (Sterling Renaissance Festival 2023. www.MatthewMarcBaum.com
Thalie Wiley (they/he/neopronouns)
Thalie Wiley is an openly AuDHD, trans, queer, mixed-race actor. They most recently appeared as Gladys in Reassembling Sasha and will be starring as Percy Jackson in The Lightning Thief musical at the Crefeld School in Northwest Philadelphia. Thalie also is an active performer in the Glee Club at the Crefeld School and in the Shadow Company of Yes/And Collaborative Arts. They also are on the Philly Roller Derby Junior team as Penny Slam as pictured here and have a love of fan fic and art.
Atticus Baldwin (he/him)
Atticus Baldwin is an autistic artist who enjoys participating in stage, film and voiceover work as well as music. He is also quite the train aficionado, and it probably goes without saying that he's also a huge Thomas the Tank Engine fan. Atticus has done several projects with Spec Labs and would like to thank Garth Herberg and Jason Weissbrod for their support in his artistic endeavors.
Nicole "Nikki" DiRocco (she/her)
Nicole "Nikki" DiRocco is a 19-year-old autistic performer and self-advocate in New Jersey. She is majoring in Dance Performance and minoring in Disability Studies and Childhood Studies at Stockton University. She also studies music and voice. She has done extensive disability advocacy in her high school, and partnered with the dancewear brand Capezio for autism awareness month. Nikki aspires to perform concert dance professionally, teach dance to children and people with disabilities, and advocate for neurodiversity accessibility in the arts.
Jenna Patch Keady (she/her)
Jenna Patch Keady is ecstatic to be joining Autistic Theatremakers Alliance for this wonderful talent show! Jenna is an Autistic performer who adores everything in the realm of theatre. She is currently studying as a dancer at Broadway Dance Center, as well as Steps on Broadway. Previously she has worked professionally with Panic! at the Disco recording backup vocals on "Nearly Witches". She has performed live at the Greek Theatre, the Roxy, & Glendale Centre Theatre, as well as many recreational school productions. Jenna loves all things whimsical in life, and strives to work in all subsections of theatre, may it be dance, television, burlesque, choreography, puppetry, she'll try just about anything!
Melissa Jennifer Gonzalez (she/they)
An ultimate triple threat! And by that, they're Colombian, autistic, and queer. Melissa made their break in the Colombian musical The Most Amazing Story Ever Sung (La más grande historia jamás cantada). Recently appeared in their first lead role in the award-nominated short film Cripfished. Melissa premiered a workshopped adaptation of their self penned semi-autobiographical musical at The Tank NYC. During the COVID-19 pandemic, their creativity expanded by airing their original sketch "Corona & The QuaranTinas" on YouTube. Followed by the virtual cabaret The Nasty Aspie Show with Emir Productions. Since 2018, Melissa has been a member of Theater Breaking Through Barriers, and has frequently appeared in their Playmakers Intensive performances. THEATRE: Sally in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown!, Sebastian in The Tempest / FILM: Mad Hatter in Seeking Alice (2017 NOVA Film Festival winner), In The Heights / TV: Gotham, And Just Like That / ONLINE: "She Kills Monsters - Virtual Realms". @notorious_m.j.g
Addison Rogers (they/she)
Addison Rogers is a 17-year-old autistic actor based in Orlando, FL. Performing has given them confidence in themself and helped her learn skills that continue to impact her everyday life. Addison currently trains within a performance company at the Dr. Phillips Center, enjoys a theatre for young audiences apprenticeship at Orlando Family Stage, and takes acting classes for TV and film with The Miracle Project (a neuro-inclusive program based in LA). Addison is super passionate about advocating for accessibility in the arts. They have been learning ASL for 3 years with a wonderful Deaf teacher, and hope to work towards becoming an interpreter as well as a professional actor. From the rehearsal process to performances, accessibility for both actors and audiences should be a key part of the conversation!