The Grand explores sensory-friendly, relaxed shows for autistic, other needs
There’s a buzz of energy in the air at The Grand, even though the lobbies are a bit quieter than usual.
The crowds are a little smaller than may be expected. General admission allows guests to choose their seats. The doors to the theater open a full hour before show time, so the audience can get acclimated to the space with plenty of time to decide where they’ll be most comfortable.
The Salon offers juice pouches and kid-friendly snacks for sale. Tables are adorned with crayons and coloring sheets. Volunteers give a warm welcome and invite families to visit the quiet space downstairs.
The Wesler Room, accessible by elevator, provides a relaxing area with light music, books to read, handheld toys and more coloring. Or, if needed, children can run around and let out all the energy that’s built up in anticipation of today’s outing.
This is a sensory-friendly show. Also known as “relaxed performances,” the shows are great for all ages and abilities. Parents with energetic young children particularly relish this environment in which their kids can jump up and dance around while experiencing the arts.
The goal of a sensory-friendly show is to reduce the stimulation challenges that can be presented by traditional entertainment for individuals on the autism spectrum and with other special needs.
The concept has been spreading across the entertainment world, with Regal movie theaters having offered similar sensory-friendly shows for their hot movies for about a year. Those movie experiences included turning down the sound and keeping the theater lights up during a show.
A sensory-friendly performance at The Grand creates a safe and welcoming environment where audiences can feel at ease from the front doors to the stage.
On the production side, the sound engineer keeps the volume to lower levels. Any loud, jarring noises that could startle someone are eliminated. Lights remain on during the show, and there are no bright flashes or quick changes. Scripts are revised and aspects of the performance may be altered to create a calmer presentation that is fun for everyone.
The Grand does away with the usual house rules, allowing patrons to get up from their seats and move about during the show if needed. Audience members appreciate a judgement-free setting that permits talking or vocalizing, as well as using fidget toys and electronic devices with headphones.
We also offer priming activities such as a downloadable social story and pre-visit tours upon request.
How did it get started?
The idea of sensory-friendly performances at The Grand was first suggested after Jeff Boyer’s Bubble Trouble performed here in the summer of 2016. Lea Cullen Boyer, Jeff’s wife and tour manager, described this new style of presentation and what it means to audiences.
Occasionally, the Grand staff and volunteers would encounter children with autism and other challenges at the Stages of Discovery school matinees.
One family requested a private tour of The Grand to help their child prepare for a class field trip. His visit started with trepidation, but by the time it was over, the boy was thrilled and even asked about careers in the theater. The need to do more became apparent.
Research showed that some theaters around the country were already presenting sensory-friendly activities for children, and the Grand staff attended their events to experience it firsthand. A big help was a guide to “Sensory Friendly Programming for People with Social & Cognitive Disabilities,” published by The Kennedy Center. The Grand followed its lead with all of the special accommodations and preparation to be done.
Several workshops helped to identify potential issues and solutions used by education and social service agencies. Roger I. Ideishi, an occupational therapist and co-author of The Kennedy Center’s guidebook, says, “There has been a recognition among cultural arts organizations that there is a group of people in society who rarely have the choice to experience theater, but the Greater Philadelphia and Wilmington regions are catching up.”
Sensory-friendly performances cost the same in artist fees and production as regular shows, but the income limitations created by accessible pricing and low attendance make outside funding essential.
The Next Generation of the Delaware Community Foundation awarded seed money needed to make this new idea a reality. This grant was soon followed by funding from DFRC and The Christmas Shop Foundation, all of which supported The Grand’s first two performances this season: Bubble Trouble and The Acrobats of Cirque-tacular.
Stella Mask attended with her 3-year-old son, Gus.
“The sensory-friendly events at The Grand were great for helping my son learn new social behaviors in a theater setting,” she says. “What a joy and surprise it was to see my normally shy child approach the acrobats and have them engage with him after the show. We are looking forward to see more next season!”
Partnerships make it work.
As The Grand’s Board of Directors got behind this new initiative, Dom Pedante volunteered to chair an advisory committee and recruited a few colleagues with personal and professional experience. Show Corps volunteers who have worked in special education and family services also joined to help guide our planning.
“Each sensory-friendly initiative will develop a different approach depending on the local community," Ideishi says. "Input from self-advocates and families are key for launching sensory-friendly initiatives.”
Grand leaders met with leaders from Autism Delaware, Brandywine Center for Autism and Easterseals, and those relationships have blossomed.
“Opening up the arts to individuals with disabilities is an incredibly important part of building an inclusive community,” said Nancy Ranalli, Director of Community Outreach with Easterseals Delaware & Maryland's Eastern Shore. “Easterseals is pleased to support family-friendly performances that address the sensory needs of children with disabilities.”
Once these programs were announced, partnerships have continued to develop with others in the field, such as the Candlelight Theatre.
Greta Fowler, executive cirector at Brain Balance Achievement Center says, “Our families at Brain Balance will drive great distances, attend shows at odd times and make large family outings for sensory-friendly events. Simple changes to the format enable a child to participate ... These events open the door to new experiences.”
It takes time for new programs to catch on, but with the reactions so far, The Grand believes this one is worth keeping. With new funding in place, we are preparing for at least three more shows in the 2018-19 season and hope to see more families with all ages and abilities come together to enjoy an afternoon of live entertainment.
Behind the scenes is an occasional column by Delaware arts leaders. This one is by Pamelyn Manocchio, director of community engagement at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington. To learn more about the Grand programs, go to TheGrandWilmington.org/sensory-friendly. Contact Manocchio at 302-657-2153 or pmanocchio@grandopera.org to join our mailing list, advisory committee, or make a donation.
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