www.broadwayworld.com: TDF will present the first in-person autism friendly performance of a Broadway shows in almost 2 years with COME FROM AWAY on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 1pm at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Autism friendly performances provide access for families with children and adults on the autism spectrum and other developmental disabilities.
5 comments:
I appreciate this article deeply as it brought into consideration something in terms of equity that I had never considered: theatre for autistic people. I am aware that some autistic people can get very overwhelmed by loud noises or crowds, both of which are a big part of theatre, but I never made the connection that this sensitivity then prohibits members of the autistic community from seeing theatre. So again, very grateful I having this awareness. I think having an autism friendly performance of Come From Away is a great idea, as it helps make the theatre industry overall more aware of the exclusion that this group of people faces from the art form. It did it for me! I would love to learn more about autism theatre, as the article briefly touched into the company that organized this event. Are their playhouses that consistently have autism friendly pieces? I also wish for mainstream theatre this was a more regular event! Perhaps once or twice a month this could be integrated as a special night, allowing more people to enjoy the shows comfortably.
Come From Away does it again. The Broadway show which premiered in 2017 brings up an interesting point regarding equity in theatrical practice. An “autism-friendly performance” is a hard concept to understand, yet as the article points out this involves adjusting the production to featureless “startling noises” and “flashing lights”. Moreover, the program (led by TDF's Accessibility Programs) purchases every seat for said performance and makes tickets available– at affordable prices. It is important to note, however, this is not the first time this occurs on Broadway. AS the article points out, numerous other productions (including yet not limited to Aladdin, Matilda, etc.) have worked with TDF before. Personally, it is heartwarming to read about companies adopting more equitable practices by welcoming all audiences and adjusting as necessary. The program offers a kind theatrical experience to audience members across all ages; making theatre accessible to those with physical disabilities, as well as individuals on the autism spectrum.
This article discusses a topic I find extremely important: making theatre accessible for everyone. One of the reasons theatre caught my eye was the safe space it creates for everyone involved, whether that be actors in rehearsal or audience members watching the show. I started partaking in the theatre industry to continue and improve this notion that anyone should be able to experience magic that happens on stage. In high school I was in the Teen Ambassador Program for the Broward Center for Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, FL which was the first time I heard about Autism friendly performances as teen ambassadors were responsible for providing feedback on how we could make this local theatre more inclusive. As this article describes, many technical aspects are often adjusted to create a safe space for these performances, so I find it extremely interesting how productions on Broadway can make these changes one day and then start right back up again the next.
I’ve never heard of TDF Autism Friendly Performances, but I’m very happy that they exist and that they’ve done productions of so many great Broadway shows. One of the great things about making theater is the large amount of control we have over what is put onstage and presented for audiences. This means we have the ability to alter shows so that they can be enjoyed by as many people as possible, including people with disabilities who have difficulty accessing many productions. I wonder if these productions would also be accessible to people with photosensitive epilepsy, as the article mentions a reduction in strobe lights. The article also mentions audio described performances for people with blindness or low vision, which I have never heard of before. For parents I’m sure this is very beneficial as they are able to give their children an unforgettable experience that they would not have been able to provide without TDF’s programming.
I don't think I have ever seen another disability-friendly show such as this one. Firstly, I am glad that the tickets come at a general affordable price to make the show even more equitable. Come From Away is such an amazing piece of media so it is no surprise they would want to make it adaptable. Secondly, it is really delightful that they take everyone’s sensory issue into account for these showings. The comfortability of a smaller audience with reduced jarring lights and sounds makes it truly accessible. Autism is a spectrum and it presents itself differently in everyone so the fact that they try to take everyone’s needs into account is great. Thirdly, I had no idea there were so many autism friendly performances going on in the world. 2011 was over ten years ago and its shocking that I am just hearing about this now. Lastly, I am excited that they have more performances like this lined up for the future. This is certainly a step in the right direction for making theater a completely nondiscriminatory artform.
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