AMERICAN THEATRE: Seats on the Spectrum, a new accessibility initiative, has partnered with Roundabout Theatre Company and New 42’s New Victory Theater to pilot a program making mainstream performances welcoming to audience members on the autism spectrum. The undertaking, in collaboration with Theater Development Fund (TDF), aims to demonstrate to the field at large what more comprehensive inclusion might look like.
3 comments:
I think this is a really great program, and it would be awesome if it makes it's way to Broadway. I hope it is successful in its' pilot. Neurodiverse people should also have access to theatre, as it is meant to be inclusive for all. Being in a theatre can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience for Autistic people. Going into an unfamiliar space with a large group of people and loud sounds can be a very difficult thing to do. But Seats on the Spectrum seems to have a good plan and accommodations well-suited for neurodiverse people. The ability to go into the theatre and see the space while it is empty pre-show is really helpful, so that they can get a feel for the space instead of entering with a loud group of people. It will also be good for them to have safe spaces with the ability to retreat there if they get overwhelmed during the performance. I do hope that the ushers and staff at these theaters truly get proper training so that they are able to support autistic patrons and make them feel welcome and safe.
This sounds like a really great initiative. As a neurodivergent person in theater, I value its accessibility, and it’s something that I advocate for and strive to provide as a designer and technician. Even stuff as small as doing a few accessibility friendly shows per performance is a huge step, and is incredibly valuable. It should not be the job of people with disabilities to adapt or cope with a society that is made to exclude them. It is the job of society to work harder to include them. When I think of accessibility, I think about the example of how ramps benefit a lot more people than just people in wheelchairs. They benefit people with strollers, on crutches, with suitcases, lifting heavy boxes, etc. You don’t have to have a disability or be neurodiverse to appreciate and utilize a lot of these accommodations.
A local performance in my area had a everyone is welcome night. In this performance the house lights were left on, the audio was lowered, and any talking was accommodated. Showgoers could get up and walk around if they needed, or even leave to take a break and not be looked down upon. I feel like the segregation that is so looked down upon in this article of separate more accommodating showings is better that their solutions because if there are neurodivergent people attending a show with others who might not appreciate their needs they could feel inclined to subdue their reactions. If a person is focused on not ruining a performance for those around them then they can’t really enjoy the performance.
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