Instagram story viewer> @abstractrandom1> Tagged

Ashlea Woodley

@abstractrandom1

646

followers

1244

following

Abstract creative with FANTASTIC logical coping strategies.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

THANK YOU to our Direct Support Professionals (DSP) for bringing remarkable empathy, curiosity, problem-solving skills, and patience to their work while balancing professionalism with a warm, family-like atmosphere.

We asked staff members to share observations of what DSPs add to our studios; here’s what they had to say:

“I love our DSPs because they show up to work with compassion, love and enthusiasm every single day! They are the heart of Arts of Life and some of the most patient and passionate people I know, who truly inspire our artists and myself every day.” - Hana Kulović, Operations Manager

“Artists regularly extend invitations to dinner, coffee, and trips to record shops to our Direct Support staff because they are considered to be true friends and even members of their family. It’s easy to see why - our staff are warm, patient, funny, joyful, and inspiring.” - Lacey Whittaker, Community Engagement Manager

“Artists have so much FUN with our DSPs! Recently they took a trip to the Salt Shed and got to check out bands like the Jesus and Mary Chain, Tortoise, Smerz, and Courtney Barnett.” - Lacey Whittaker, Community Engagement Manager

“Working alongside the artists at Arts of Life transformed my perspective on the world, and our incredible team of DSPs has been equally as inspiring. Beginning my journey as an intern at the West Town Studio, I learned firsthand what meaningful support looks like from Anne, Ingrid, and Deanna. Through trust, empathy, and heartfelt care, they build deeply personal connections with the artists. Their ability to seamlessly balance professionalism with a warm, family-like atmosphere is a truly remarkable achievement!

Annie, Ashlea, Bojana, Travis, Melissa, and Maggie are endlessly thoughtful, constantly evolving and fine tuning the practices that best support our artists. Our team expanded even further with the addition of Dee, Eros, and Winston over the past few months, and it is now impossible to imagine our studios without them. Every single day, they bring remarkable empathy, curiosity, problem-solving skills, and patience to their work. I feel so lucky to work with such stars!”- Lydia McGowan, Volunteer Coordinator

100

2

I really do have the best job in the whole world. 🐾

I have the honor of meeting so many amazing families, each with their own story, their own challenges, and their own celebrations.

We laugh, we cry, we celebrate the wins, we work through the hard days, and we share a whole lot of stories along the way. 🤍

To every family who trusts me with your journey…

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Happy National Dog Day! 🐾

#nationaldogday #dogsofinstagram #dogsofchicago #dogtrainerlife #dogseverywhere

36

4

Sometimes you’re still awake at 4am because a few hours earlier you helped a family say goodbye to their best friend.

Saying goodbye to a family’s best friend will forever be the most painful part of being a behavioral trainer.

There’s something indescribably heavy about walking through a family’s front door knowing your only purpose there is to help love them through their final night together. At the same time, there is such deep honor in being trusted enough to be included in that moment.

Last night was for Rizzo. 🤍

Cheeseburgers in bed. Extra kisses. Tears. Stories. Quiet moments. His favorite people surrounding him, loving him through his final night and into today.

The heartbreak of knowing goodbye is coming, paired with the gratitude of being trusted to be there for it, creates one of the most confusing combinations of emotions a human heart can carry.

Thank you to Rizzo’s mom and dad for trusting me with your beautiful family last night. It was simply an honor and a gift to be there with you.

Today Rizzo will cross the rainbow bridge, and he will be loved always…long after today, long after this moment, in the way only a family can love their best friend forever.

May all the memories you created with Rizzo one day bring you comfort and warmth. He has always known how much you love him - of that I am certain.

#rainbowbridge #foreverinourhearts #alldogsgotoheaven #dogsofinstagram #dogsforlife

113

18

34 ✨ April was filled with great food, the best friends, newborn snuggles, a couple trips to the ballpark, fresh tats, fresh hair, and fresh air 💖🌸💅🏼 Spring is here! #birthdaymonth

72

9

Our last (but certainly not least) main cast member to be introduced is Ashlea Woodley! Ashlea (she/her) will be playing Janet, a puppeteer, and various other characters. Everybody say, "Hi Ashlea!"

On Wednesday, stay tuned to meet our excellent Wonderstudies! Until then, be sure to grab your tickets at the link in bio!

#seasonofthewitch #chicagotheatre #chicagopremiere #midwestpremiere #remembranceisresistance

14

1

I don’t often Greatworks-post on the grid but on Thursday we had our last performances of Lyle the Crocodile, a show that has in many ways underpinned my life as an actor for the past four years. I’ve played Mrs. Primm through two relationships, four apartments, six “grown-up show” contracts, in three different costumes in at least four different states, at least a hundred times, for audiences of attentive and distracted kids alike probably numbering in the thousands. I’ve played her with a whopping six stage husbands — not to mention three sons, four next door neighbors, five different dancing crocodiles. She’s how I met Gabe and Leah and Pete and so many more dear friends and collaborators. She was silly and fun and femme and stylized and gave me the chance to sing and dance consistently for four years even if no one else was casting me in musicals and she made a lot of young people laugh. I never imagined I’d ever get the chance to stay on a contract for so long — it’s strange to let it go but I’m thankful for the years of steady work and serious play and excited for whatever comes next. See ya later, not a gator 🐊💋

144

9

WORLD F*ING THEATRE DAY
(Horizontal Edition)

Recently remembering that all I want in life is to make theatre and be an artistic director and call folks together in epic live ways is helping me remember WHAT I WAS PUT HERE TO DO.

Please enjoy ♥️

58

2

Today, we celebrate Employee Appreciation Day by looking back at all the hard work, dedication, and creativity of our incredible staff! From our administrative team keeping things running smoothly to our studio facilitators supporting artistic growth, every person plays a vital role on this team.

Join us in showing gratitude to these people who make Arts of Life a truly magical place!
.
.
.

#ArtsOfLife #EmployeeAppreciation #ThankYou

167

6

💫 Kicking off DSP Recognition Week! 💫

Join us in honoring our incredible Direct Support Professionals who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support our artists in pursuing their creative passions.

Thank you to our Studio Managers, Coordinators, Art Specialists, and 1:1 staff for helping our artists flourish and reach their full potential. We couldn’t do it without you! 🙏🏼 Your commitment and care are the true backbone of our community!

-
Image Descriptions:
ID1 - Omar Abulsheikh looking at Travis Morehead while both are smiling.
ID2 - Danny Frownfelter and Maggie Kamphausen smiling at Danny’s Artist workstation.
ID3 - Bojana Crnomarkovic and Cole Fox smiling at each other .
ID4 - Nik Heusman and Ashlea Woodley smiling in the NS studio.
ID5 - Payton Harris-Woodard with Katrina and Lewis smiling at an event.
ID6 - Arts of life staff Austin, Siena, Deanna, and Hannah at an event.
ID7 - Ruth Johnson, Laura Greenberg and Melissa Ott holding hands and smiling in the studio.
ID8 - Arts of life staff and artist group picture outdoors.
ID9 - Omar Abulsheikh And Travis Morehead making funny faces.

.
.
.
.

#DSPWeek #ThankYouDSPs #DSPRecognitionWeek #ArtCommunity #DSP #directsupportprofessional #IDD #DisabledCommunity #DisabledArtists #artstudio #appreciative #gratitude #chicagoartstudio #MakingMagicHappen #ArtsOfLife

120

6

What will be my feature film debut as a writer director “This Is The Place” started out scribbled on printer paper in 2021 while I was working the window at @superkhana during my down time. It’s four years later, and we are weeks away from script “lock” aka Financing. The only one who can make you quit is you. Here’s to fighting for the stories we are all dying to tell. Here’s to fighting like hell to change the world. Here’s to doing it all for the love of other people: friends, family, enemies, strangers, politicians, celebrities. All of them. 🔥🫡✍️🎥

60

10

DAY 3 and 4 SHOUT OUTS AND UPDATES!!

14

1

So excited to start rehearsal tomorrow. Only four performances. Get your tickets at proboscis.org/shop

32

0