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Theatre for audiences with special needs

  • 1.  Theatre for audiences with special needs

    Posted 09-17-2015 20:28

    Hi, everyone!

    I am also involved in my community theatre and last night at a meeting of the youth committee, the discussion of presenting theatre performances geared for audiences with a spectrum of special needs, most specifically asperger's or autism was brought up.  I told the folks in our meeting that I had very little knowledge, but that I knew where to go!  Community to the rescue! 

    If anyone has information on programming or productions of this nature, could you please share information with me? 

    My thanks!

    CC

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    Carolyn Cork Greer
    Owensboro KY
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  • 2.  RE: Theatre for audiences with special needs

    Posted 09-18-2015 07:13

    Carolyn,

    While having no personal experience in this matter, I can recommend this article as a starting point. The Lion King has been presenting autism-friendly performances since 2011. Some good tips in here.

    Before the Roar: Preparing for an Autism-Friendly 'Lion King'

    Boston.com remove preview
    Before the Roar: Preparing for an Autism-Friendly 'Lion King'
    When Judith Ursitti's 11-year-old son Jack was diagnosed with autism 10 years ago, she never imagined that he'd be able to enjoy a musical theater production; the shows' roaring orchestras and harsh lighting would surely be too much for Jack to handle.
    View this on Boston.com >

    Scott

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    Scott Piehler
    Director
    SUWANEE GA
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Theatre for audiences with special needs

    Posted 09-19-2015 07:02

    There is always "A Curious Incident of the Dog at Nighttime" but I don't think the rights have been released yet since it is still on Broadway. You can purchase the script, though. 

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    Elisabeth Ledwell
    Falmouth MA
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Theatre for audiences with special needs

    Posted 09-18-2015 10:58

    I don't have experience with specific shows. However, I have had several special need students in my productions. It's a wonderful experience for all involved. The other students learn to work beside the student and to help when needed. The special need student learns new skills. As for me, it has always been a superb thing to watch growth on all sides.

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    Ellen Di Filippo
    Tracy CA
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Theatre for audiences with special needs

    Posted 09-18-2015 11:21

    This is similar, but not the same. However, I feel prompted to share the information. When I taught in Virginia Beach, I had students involved with another group that cast special needs students in all the parts of Peter Pan. My students were "shadow actors" and dressed in blacks - each special needs student was given a "shadow" who would guide them to their blocking, whisper their lines in their ears, help them face the correct direction, etc. The special needs students were the stars of the show, and the shadow actors helped them perform. Even now my heart is touched to remember the impact this had on the special needs students. I don't know if this is something you could adapt for your purposes, but it was a wonderful experience for my actors to help these other students shine.

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    Ann Hileman
    Indiana Chapter Director
    Peru IN
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Theatre for audiences with special needs

    Posted 09-18-2015 12:19

    Check out the Jellybean Conspiracy. Act I follows the story of a young person with Down Syndrome, but Act II is a beautiful compilation of monologues, scenes, songs, and other vignettes about all special needs. We have performed it a few times. It's always very touching.  

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    Kerry Bollenbach
    Theatre teacher/director
    Barnegat Board of Education
    Barnegat NJ
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Theatre for audiences with special needs

    Posted 09-19-2015 10:08

    Carolyn,

    I think contacting VSA would be a good place to start. They are a national organization focused on arts education for students with disabilities, and I would bet they could help or steer you in the right direction.

    http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/vsa/

    Good luck!

    Cheers,
    Jonathan


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    Jonathan Dorf
    Playwright/ Co-founder of YouthPLAYS/ Co-chair of The Alliance Of Los Angeles Playwrights
    Los Angeles CA
    ------------------------------


    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Theatre for audiences with special needs

    Posted 09-19-2015 23:31

    Check with your local school district and see if they have an Autism Specialist.  There are 3 in my district and they are helping us develop some outreach events for Autism Awareness/Education this year.

    Also, I haven't had a chance to watch the whole video yet, but MTI is featuring this documentary about a group of special needs students who go to the Junior Thespian Festival to perform.  It doesn't specifically say but based on the title "Spectrum of Hope" I'm assuming the kids are on the spectrum.
    http://www.mtishows.com/spectrumofhopemovie.asp

    ------------------------------
    Laura Steenson
    Theatre Director
    Reynolds High School
    Troutdale OR
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Theatre for audiences with special needs

    Posted 09-20-2015 12:28

    There are so many things that can be done! I work as an access and inclusion consultant and would be happy to chat with you about modifications you could do. I've worked with Several professional companies as an access and inclusion consultant. Let me know if you'd like to chat! 

    -R

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    W. Riley Braem, M.F.A.
    Theatre Teacher
    Northwest High School
    Clarksville, TN
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Theatre for audiences with special needs

    Posted 09-20-2015 13:27

    Carolyn,

    My son lives in NYC and his roommate worked on a piece, commissioned by Lincoln Center, for spectrum audiences.

    Look up Trusty Sidekick Theatre Company's production of Up and Away at Lincoln Center Education.

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    Gail Bartell
    Altamonte Springs FL
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    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Theatre for audiences with special needs

    Posted 09-20-2015 16:54

    Carolyn,

    Eight years ago we started presenting a show each year called "CBI Talent Time" (Community Based Instruction)((below special education). It has grown over the years but the students really enjoy this time. It is a time where my regular ed students are coaches to the CBI students. This show is all about CBI and their time to show off their talent. That talent may be bouncing a ball or singing along to any song they choose or even dancing. The audiences for this show have grown from about 25 the first year to 112 last year. This consist of family members and regular ed students there to support. We go all out with backdrop, light, sound the works.

    I also include special needs students in our shows. We print an announcement for our audience whenever we have flashing lights, fog etc. for anyone who might have a reaction.

    Hope this helps,

    ------------------------------
    Stephen Smith
    North Little Rock AR
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    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Theatre for audiences with special needs

    Posted 09-20-2015 18:39

    Hi Carolyn

    I have been involved with several groups working with special needs children, specifically regarding flying effects.  There are several ways to ingrate flying effects with theatre for children with special needs.  

    A show can be produced for an audience with special needs, and the children can be invited for a special session with the actors where they get to fly like the characters they saw.  Here is an example of a Peter Panproduced by Michigan State.  

    A show can be produced with special needs children in the cast.  As an example of small scale productions, have a look at one of my local groups, the Penguin Project.  On a larger scale, I have worked with a group called Artist's Unlimited in Rochester, New York, that produces just for people with special needs.  Here is a 5 minute video that is well worth the watch :-).

    An activity camp can also be designed to tap into the talents and imaginations of the special needs participants.  A group in Naperville, Illinois, Artful Impact, conducts an annual "SuperHero Camp" where they learn go through stage fight training, learn how to apply special makeup, have suits and weapons designed, and then learn to fly!  Here is another short video that showcases a week at SuperHero Camp.

    I hope this gives you some ideas :-).  All my best!

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    Tracy Nunnally
    Owner/President
    DeKalb IL
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  • 13.  RE: Theatre for audiences with special needs

    Posted 09-20-2015 21:37

    Thank you all so much!  I will be sharing your information with the youth director of our community theatre.  On a different note, I too, have had many students with special needs in my program and I relish what all of my students gain by working with differing students.  We are blessed to work in an organization that has the ability to make everyone feel special.

    My thanks!

    ------------------------------
    Carolyn Cork Greer
    Owensboro KY
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    Original Message


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