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  • 1.  Theatre For Children With Autism

    Posted 06-05-2017 14:53
    Hello All!

    This past year my high school theatre troupe had 12 separate requests from parents and teachers about accommodations for students with Autism during our Spring showing of Shrek the Musical, ranging from seating requirements to sound and lighting requests. We were happy to accommodate and so enjoyed how much our young visitors loved the show. My high school theatre troupe will perform "The Little Mermaid"(MTI) next school year and we would like to add a matinee performance specifically for patrons with Autism and their families. Has anyone done this before? Can you offer advice?

    Thanks!

    ---------------------------------
    Susan Cates
    Teacher/Theatre Director
    Madison Southern High School
    Berea KY
    ---------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Theatre For Children With Autism

    Posted 06-05-2017 15:48
    Yes!!  We had a great experience with this.  None of our shows this past year were particularly kid friendly, so we didn't do it this year, but I plan to again next year as we're planning to do more kid-centered shows again.

    Things we did
    *assigned seating
    *made longer transitions for our lighting cues so that it wasn't as abrupt/startling
    *brought our sound down (sound effects - ours was a straight show)
    *made a social story
    *provided fidgets that we made with balloons and rice
    *provided a quiet room with pillows, blankets, tables, chairs and drawing supplies for those who might need a break
    *provided ear plugs and over ear coverage for those who need it (most brought their own)
    *made sure to publicize the heck out of it so that people were aware
    *had district employees who are autism specialists on hand, just in case
    *I use the house a lot with our shows, so we made sure to include in the HM speech at the beginning of the show.  We also made sure to let the audience know that a couple of characters are very loud and it's ok to cover your ears

    We worked a lot with TDF, who does the Autism Theatre Initiative on Broadway.  They were awesome with answering questions and helping us make decisions on things - https://www.tdf.org/nyc/40/Autism-Theatre-Initiative

    Let me know if you have any questions or want any help!

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


  • 3.  RE: Theatre For Children With Autism

    Posted 06-06-2017 13:40
    This year, we did an "invited dress rehearsal" for our spring musical "Disaster!" The intent was actually to run the show with an audience before opening night to make sure there weren't issues like we had with the fall play (critical pieces of the set not being visible from certain seats, jokes we didn't know were jokes getting laughs, reactions we weren't expecting, etc). We invited the middle school next door, but they couldn't stay for the whole show. I was teaching a section of special ed at the time, and wanted my students to come see the show. I then asked if the entire special ed department could come. We have a very large special ed department at our school, including a massive autism program. 

    The special ed kids arrived about a half hour before the middle schoolers so I was able to talk to them about what to expect. Some wore sound cancelling headphones. Some brought comfort/fidget items. They were all seated on aisles or in the front or back row so that they would easily be able to get up and move if they chose to. I had anticipated them wanting to leave the room. What actually happened was the magic of disco- they all wanted to get up and DANCE!

    The show was just MAGICAL. My kids had an energy that didn't happen any night of performance. The teacher of the autism program came and thanked the cast and crew personally, saying that her kids never get a chance to be themselves at something like this, and it was a wonderful experience for her and for them.

    Long story short- YES. Do a performance for your special needs population. Find out what accommodations you need to make and make as many as you can. For those that you can't, work with the teachers/adults to see what they can bring with them to help. You will not regret it.

    ------------------------------
    Jodi Disario
    Director of Drama
    Willow Glen High School
    San Jose, CA
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Theatre For Children With Autism

    Posted 06-06-2017 18:09
    We almost always have a student or two with autism or other developmental disabilities in our shows, so our special needs students love to come to the show to see their peers perform.  We try to do in-school performances when we can.  We have accommodated students with autism in different ways in the audience - one student always has the same seat with his mom (their choice), but we all think of those seats as "theirs" and the consistency helps him.   The key to any kind of accommodations is pre-planning and either peers or adults to help.  We have a strong student peer collaboration program in our school and that helps a lot.

    ------------------------------
    Patricia J. Santanello
    Educational Theatre Association - Ohio Chapter
    Co-Chapter Director
    Dublin Scioto High School
    psdirector2003@hotmail.com
    Dublin, Ohio
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Theatre For Children With Autism

    Posted 06-07-2017 13:20
    We always invite our self-contained and resource class EC students to the preview performance of the original show we take out to elementary schools each year.  Our 3 and 4-year-old childcare students, as well as the high school students taking the 1st period Childcare course, also attend.   

    We have had blind EC students, with a teacher whispering to augment the aural performance.  

    We had a deaf student whose teacher sat a row ahead of him and signed the show.  (I had sent her a script beforehand.)

    We regularly have autistic students who repeat lines, laugh loudly, and/or make great huge gestures when parts of the show delight them.  Some dance when there is music.

    Key for me is communicating with the EC teachers to make sure they understand that what would normally be considered "disruptive" behavior in most performances outside of school is really OK for this one.  They generally let me know if there is a certain type of behavior for which I should prepare my actors--such as the repeating of lines.  

    It is a really special experience for my Theatre II students to hear the unfiltered responses of students who are autistic, many of whom are seeing a play for the first time.  



     



    ------------------------------
    C. J. Breland
    Asheville High School
    Asheville NC
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Theatre For Children With Autism

    Posted 06-08-2017 09:54
    Hey,

    We did an autism friendly performance of Cinderella a few years ago. We have a former student who does this for a living with TDF.  If you would like his contact information please send me an email.

    It was very well received by the community. The cast and crew enjoyed doing the show for a great audience.

    Best,

    Christine

    ------------------------------
    Christine Causer
    Teacher/Production Manager
    BURLINGTON, NJ
    ccauser@burltwpsch.org
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Theatre For Children With Autism

    Posted 01-24-2020 18:15
    Christine,
    We are doing Cinderella this spring and planning to do an autism-friendly show. We would love a little support around this to ensure we are using respectful language and providing services in a helpful way.
    Can you please put me in touch with your former student?
    Thank you!
    Summer

    ------------------------------
    Summer Heartt
    Theatre Arts - Teacher/Director
    American Canyon High School
    American Canyon, California, USA
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    Original Message


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