Enjoying a theater performance may seem like a relaxing pleasure for many, but for people with conditions like autism, Tourette syndrome, or Down’s syndrome — and their caregivers — going out to a show can be a very stressful experience.
That’s why the Riverside Center For The Performing Arts is offering neurodiverse children an opportunity to experience their upcoming show in a safe and welcoming environment. The performance of Willy Wonka on Saturday, Oct. 19 is billed as a sensory-friendly performance. This means that sound and lighting elements that can be jarring and overstimulating will be adjusted for a neuro-diverse audience.
Riverside applied for and received a grant from AWS In Communities (an Amazon-sponsored program) called ChangeX designed to improve the lives of members of communities where the company has facilities. Some of the changes for the sensory-friendly performance include adding bean bag chairs, the availability of large foam puzzles on the floor, and tables will be removed to allow additional space for audience members to move and leave the theater if needed.
A safe space room will be available for those who feel overstimulated or overwhelmed by the performance. They can leave the show for as much time as they need, then rejoin the audience when they are comfortable.
The non-profit Cooking Autism also donated ten sensory-friendly bags to hand out to kids who need them. These will include noise-canceling headphones, fidget spinners, and a communication chart that non-verbal people can use to indicate their mood and needs.
Riverside Director of Marketing Allison Mayberry worked closely with Jan Monroe from fellow nonprofit Step VA to design the sensory-friendly performance. Step VA is a theater group that specializes in giving neurodiverse children and adults opportunities to participate in the performing arts. Monroe will be attending an early performance and taking notes to help with the project.
“Jan will… train the cast and the crew and tell us what we need to do in order to make it a more sensory-friendly performance for the individuals who will be coming to see it,” said Andrea Kahane, the artistic director for the Riverside Children’s Theater.
The cast will receive training from Step VA on how to put forth a ‘sensory-friendly’ experience. (Photo Andrea Kahane)
Kahane, who had played lead roles in many Riverside performances, has first-hand experience with helping a neuro-sensitive person enjoy the theater experience. Her brother is visually impaired and has autism and intellectual disabilities.
“He’s come to Riverside many times with my parents,” said Kahane. “He’s able to sit and enjoy but there are moments when the emotions are just too overwhelming and an individual can’t help how they respond to what’s going on around them.”
This is the second time Riverside has offered a sensory-friendly children’s show. In 2019, they delivered a performance of “Winnie The Pooh” with a similar goal.
“There was a part where Tigger was supposed to pop a balloon that was tied to Eeore’s tail,” said Mayberry. “We modified that for the sensory-friendly show by having Tigger grab the balloon and slowly let the air out. So you kept the same story but it just wouldn’t trigger anybody.”
Similar changes will be made to the performance of Willy Wonka. There is a scene where Augustus Gloop yells loudly, which will be toned down for this show. Veruca Salt has a scene where she throws a temper tantrum and pounds on the floor. That will be changed to avoid startling and loud noises.
In addition to changes in the script and acting, the stage and lighting will be accommodated for the sensory-friendly show. The house lights will be left on during the performance. Sound engineer Cheyenne Tenda is working with Monroe to even out the more abrupt changes in sound and volume.
Sign-language interpreters will also be added to this performance for hearing-impaired audience members. This and other accommodations may be added to some adult performances in the future.
“It’s really an undertaking in the most loving sense,” said Kahane. “It’s a wonderful chance to include folks that wouldn’t be able to come because maybe the lights are too bright or there’s a strobe light, or it’s too loud.”
“There’s so many groups and so many kids out there that are affected by this nowadays,” Mayberry said. “I think it’s only right that we make it more accessible for everybody to be able to enjoy the theater just as much as we do.
“To be able to come to a show like this and know that there’s going to be 200 other kids and family members that go through the same things that we go through every day and look at these kids and young adults and see them as the blessings that they are.”
If you go
Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, special sensory-friendly performance, Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m., Riverside Center For The Performing Arts, 95 Riverside Parkway, Fredericksburg. Tickets are $20. Regular performances run throughout October on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
