Participatory Experiences
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Bluelaces Theater Company New York, NY bluelacestc.com Bluelaces Theater Company believes all individuals, regardless of ability status, should have the opportunity to experience the magic of theater. They create highly interactive, sensory-based theatrical experiences for people of all ages living with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental differences. Their board of directors were trained by Jacqui Russell, artistic director of Chicago Children's Theatre and founder of The Red Kite Project. Center for Applied Drama & Autism Akron, OH centerforada.org The Center for Applied Drama & Autism strives to meet students where they are and help them recognize their abilities and gifts. They do this through individual and collaborative applied drama techniques such as theatre games, improvisation, role play, and voice and body work. They also encourage the originality with student-created puppet plays, playwriting, and video production. Chicago Children's Theatre: The Red Kite Project Chicago, IL chicagochildrenstheatre.org/access chicagochildrenstheatre.org/red-kite-project/ chicagochildrenstheatre.org/red-kite-project/camp-red-kite/ The Red Kite Project creates theatrical adventures and dynamic learning experiences for children with autism. Camp Red Kite is a summer arts half-day camp for children on the autism spectrum. Red Kite Adventures are multi-sensory theatrical experiences that incorporate into each performance the desires, needs, and whims unique to each child who attends. Red Kite also offers classroom “Drama Time” residencies, along with Teacher Development and Artist-Training Workshops. Dallas Children's Theater Dallas, TX dct.org/_secure/academyclasses/sensoryclasses/ The mission of Dallas Children's Theatre is to inspire young people to creative and productive lives through the art of theater. DCT's sensory classes are designed for children with autism, Asperger syndrome, Down syndrome, and other sensory processing disorders and special needs. DCT also offers sensory friendly performances. In the Company of Kids Twin Cities, MN cokartscenter.com/adaptiveprograms.html The mission of In the Company of Kids is to encourage learning through artistic methods that are individually meaningful to all students. They offer programs for people of all ages and abilities. Adaptive theater classes and camps are offered through their non-profit organization Drama Interaction. Drama Interaction is a creative, performing arts program dedicated to fostering expression and empowerment of children and adults with special needs. Instructors have backgrounds in both the arts and special education. Seesaw Theatre Northwestern University, Evanston, IL seesawtheatre.org Seesaw Theatre produces multi-sensory theatre for those with autism spectrum condition and other developmental differences. Seesaw Theatre strives to enrich the lives of these individuals by increasing their access to theatre and fostering the use of performance as a channel for expression. SENSE Theatre Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN sensetheatre.com SENSE Theatre is a unique theatrical intervention research program designed to improve the social and emotional functioning of children with autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders. The core autism-specific skills that are targeted in SENSE Theatre include reciprocal social interaction, to-and-fro communication, empathic responding, nonverbal communication, coordinated movement, as well as spontaneous, flexible thought and behavior. Stages Theatre Company: CAST program Hopkins, MN stagestheatre.org/education/cast-program/ CAST (Creative Accepting Sensory-friendly Theatre) is an educational program dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming and comfortable environment for children affected by autism. Their goal is to foster self-expression, social engagement, creative exploration, perception development, and confidence in each student, no matter where they land on the spectrum. Stages Theatre Company also offers sensory friendly performances. The Miracle Project Greater Los Angeles area, CA themiracleproject.org The Miracle Project incorporates a groundbreaking and proven methodology that integrates theatre, film, and the expressive arts to bring out the best in individuals with autism and all abilities. The Miracle Project offers classes and camps to individuals of all abilities and ages. All programs are fully inclusive and use expressive and performing arts to build social skills, increase self-esteem and communication through music, movement, film, and drama. |
Sensory-Friendly Performances
Sensory-friendly performances are modified to provide special modifications and support to accommodate families with special needs. These modifications often include:
- Reduction of loud or jarring sounds
- Lights remain at a low level in the theater throughout the performance
- Reductions in flashing or strobe lights
- Accommodated house rules: audience members are free to talk or move during the show
- Space throughout the theater for standing and movement
- Designated “Quiet Room” and “Take a Break Space”
- Extra staff and volunteer support.
- Guidance and sensory supports (fidgets, earplugs, noise cancelling ear-muffs) available in the lobby before the show
Autism Theatre Initiative (Theatre Development Fund)
New York, NY
tdf.org/nyc/40/Autism-Theatre-Initiative
Chicago Children’s Theatre
Chicago, IL
chicagochildrenstheatre.org/see-a-show/on-stage/sensory-friendly-performances/autism-friendly-performances/
Dallas Children’s Theater
Dallas, TX
dct.org/sensory/
Fulton Theatre
Lancaster, PA
thefulton.org/education/sensory-friendly-program/
Imagination Stage
Bethesda, MD
imaginationstage.org
The Kennedy Center
Washington, D.C.
kennedy-center.org/Pages/accessibility/sensory
Lincoln Center
New York City, NY
lincolncenter.org/kids/series/relaxed-performances
Orlando Repertory Theatre
Orlando, FL
orlandorep.com/?s=sensory+friendly
Paper Mill Playhouse
Millburn, NJ
papermill.org/education/autism-friendly.html
Parker Arts
Parker, CO
co-parkerpace.civicplus.com/2044/Sensory-Friendly-Shows
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Pittsburgh, PA
pbt.org/sensory-friendly-performances
Playhouse Square
Cleveland, OH
playhousesquare.org/events-tickets/sensory-friendly-programming
Stages Theatre Company
Hopkins, MN
stagestheatre.org/education/cast-program/
New York, NY
tdf.org/nyc/40/Autism-Theatre-Initiative
Chicago Children’s Theatre
Chicago, IL
chicagochildrenstheatre.org/see-a-show/on-stage/sensory-friendly-performances/autism-friendly-performances/
Dallas Children’s Theater
Dallas, TX
dct.org/sensory/
Fulton Theatre
Lancaster, PA
thefulton.org/education/sensory-friendly-program/
Imagination Stage
Bethesda, MD
imaginationstage.org
The Kennedy Center
Washington, D.C.
kennedy-center.org/Pages/accessibility/sensory
Lincoln Center
New York City, NY
lincolncenter.org/kids/series/relaxed-performances
Orlando Repertory Theatre
Orlando, FL
orlandorep.com/?s=sensory+friendly
Paper Mill Playhouse
Millburn, NJ
papermill.org/education/autism-friendly.html
Parker Arts
Parker, CO
co-parkerpace.civicplus.com/2044/Sensory-Friendly-Shows
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
Pittsburgh, PA
pbt.org/sensory-friendly-performances
Playhouse Square
Cleveland, OH
playhousesquare.org/events-tickets/sensory-friendly-programming
Stages Theatre Company
Hopkins, MN
stagestheatre.org/education/cast-program/
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