An aim to bring everyone together

Imagine a world where people work together to celebrate differences, learn from each other, build empathy and understanding.

A world where connection replaces division and gives every person a place to discover their gifts and strengths, so they can thrive.

That’s exactly what AIM 4 ALL is doing, giving individuals with and without disabilities a space to collaborate and create art as equals on the stage.

The goal of the new musical theatre company is to produce fully inclusive productions and give performance opportunities to their ensemble throughout the training season. By fostering a safe, creative, and diverse environment, AIM 4 ALL empowers participants of all abilities to share their talents and flourish together.

Co-founders Brenda Gorlick, Lois Brothers and Laura Kolisnyk bring wide-ranging expertise to performing arts education and production with neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals — people with disabilities and without.

The collective successfully launched its seasonal program last fall, partnering with community organizations — including Manitoba Possible and DASCH — to ensure broad accessibility and community engagement.

On a mission to create a platform that celebrates diversity, Brothers says inclusivity is at the heart of everything they do.

“I love seeing the joy and confidence that comes from the participants when they actually see ‘I can do this,’” said Brothers, a teacher, actor, and advocate who works with Inclusion Winnipeg, helping children and families navigate the school system.

AIM 4 ALL began with a weeklong pilot project in 2025 to see if there was interest. It’s been growing ever since.

“We had five shows at the University of Winnipeg, all sold out,” Brothers said. “The reaction of people leaving was amazing. Everyone was so happy and felt so good because of what we did in that show,” she said, noting the performance featured a 28-member cast.

“This year, we found out participant talents, we found out their dreams. We are incorporating that in a talent showcase beginning in December,” she said, about the expanded cast.

Brothers, who has a son with Down syndrome, remembers how much he loved being in a musical while in high school. He continued to talk about the experience years later.

The determined mother couldn’t stop thinking about her son’s passion for the stage, which became the catalyst to start AIM 4 ALL.

“I was teaching acting classes. I had neurodiverse students, and asked them, ‘Would you be interested in a musical?’ The response was, ‘That would be fun.’ I thought, I don’t know how to do this. I started to talk to Brenda. She does more teaching with the physically disabled. Laura teaches with a lot of neurodiverse classes and has a wealth of experience in that. I have a lot of experience with the intellectually disabled. The three of us came together.”

AIM 4 ALL has quickly become known as a place to be accepted for who you are no matter what kind of abilities or disabilities, strengths or limitations you may have.

“It’s lovely, watching it. We have people of all levels, people in wheelchairs, some who cannot speak, some autistic, on the spectrum, with Down’s Syndrome, and from the neurotypical world,” she explained, noting that performers range in age from 16 to 50.

“The impact is huge. The people who come who are neurodiverse— they’re sitting there saying wow, if they can be there, I can. Everyone is working together, it’s very powerful. I’m really happy, when we get to a point where everybody is accepting each other, when you start to see that they know they belong there. The parents are so happy we are doing this. Their child has talent. Our parents are fabulous — they volunteer and contribute. They’re so grateful this is happening for their child.”

Brothers said the group would love to have more neurotypical people who love all aspects of musical theatre, whether it be song, dance or instruments.

“They’re learning all the skills that make people such better humans by being involved. They practise compassion and empathy. They are having to be patient. They’re learning these skills, doing a musical, and having fun.

“We have to take the individual and place them where they’re going to thrive,” she added, about the unique program that welcomes both the neurodivergent and the neurotypical.

Brenda Gorlick, administrator for AIM 4 ALL, has always worked inside the arts world. She’s fully immersed in creative projects, including overseeing a 55-plus dance team.

She’s thankful to have found a way to create fully integrated musical theatre, which had been missing from the community.

“It’s my passion — it’s my joy,” said the multi-faceted performing arts specialist, about AIM 4 ALL’s stage performances.

“This year, we’ve got different streams, and a new group of 11 members. Almost everybody came back from last year’s impactful season.

“I love the fact that arts passion is something that is immeasurable: the more you share it, the more you get back. I love the community we are working with, to see everybody help each other on stage. It’s not a cakewalk but the beautiful thing about it is that we are mindful of the needs of the individuals. We set a bar that’s really high. You have to have expectations — sometimes they’re more easily met than other times,” she said.

As the new kid on the block, AIM 4 ALL is working towards getting charitable status. With an operating budget of $85,000 — half of that from registration fees — the trio has received funding from the Manitoba Arts Council, Inclusion Manitoba and the Gail Asper Foundation, among others. DASCH, which supports people with intellectual disabilities, has shared their rehearsal and performance space free of charge.

“It’s dance and music and theatre that should be experienced by everybody, no matter where they come from or what their capacities are,” Gorlick said.

“It truly does change lives.”

Donations, sponsorships, and volunteers are appreciated. Visit aim4all.ca to learn more.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca