The Unlabeled Theatre Company is a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based theatre company with a mission “to use live theatre to provide performing, vocational, and life skills opportunities for adults (18+) with disabilities.”
Through their productions, they bring together artists with disabilities, professional theatre artists, community volunteers, and audiences to create productions which are rooted in inclusivity.
Most recently, they supported Rachel Moquist in achieving a dream of starring in a theatre production, by taking the stage in their spring 2026 production of Once Upon a Mattress, a classic Broadway musical comedy retelling of The Princess and the Pea.
Once Upon a Mattress follows Winnifred, a swamp princess who must pass an impossible test, set by an overbearing queen, in order to win the heart of the prince. Rachel performed the role of Lady Larkin, a central character whose heart is set on marriage and whose journey mirrors something most of us can relate to – the desire to be seen, supported, and celebrated.
Rachel was paired alongside her “shadow partner”, Natalie McComas, as part of Unlabeled’s approach to casting. By using what’s known as the “shadow partner staging model”, each role in the Unlabeled Theatre company is double cast, which means each performer is paired with a professional “shadow partner,” where two people create one performance together.
In addition to using “shadow partners”, Unlabeled Theatre uses a variety of learning opportunities during the four months of auditioning, rehearsals, and productions. During that time, each person has the chance to increase their skills in listening, being flexible, how to work creatively with others, and develop interpersonal skills.
“We have a strong belief that you start by setting a very high bar. Regardless of disability, what we see over and over again is our artists doing new and incredible things, and leaping over that bar with each and every performance,” said Chris Moquist, founder of the Unlabeled Theater Company.
“I always walk away from these productions newly reminded that it is not ‘disability theater’… [these] productions are just simply great shows. I don’t have words for how powerful it is as an expression on stage, and how artfully this company uses it.” said Anne Roehl, Director of Minnesota Services at Mains’l. “They create a fast-paced show and an incredibly meaningful experience for the audience. Both shows I saw created subtle but very powerful themes of belonging and disability. Those themes are not center stage, but instead, given space to be expressed and seen as part of the whole.”
To learn more about Unlabeled Theatre, including their autumn production of Jellyfish, or how you or someone you know, can get more involved, visit their website.
Photo Caption: Rachel Moquist (left) takes the stage as Lady Larkin in Unlabeled Theatre Company’s spring production of Once Upon a Mattress. Photo by Jordan Buckellew (JoyByJo.com).