Jessica Thom and Jess Mabel Jones in “Touretteshero: Backstage in Biscuit Land.” (Photo by James Lyndsey)
April 2016 | Strategies
April 12, 2016 Eliza Bent Leave a comment
Relaxing the Rules for Theatregoers Who’ve Gotta Move
How theatres are creating inclusive experiences for folks with neuropsychiatric conditions, autism, or simple aversion to business as usual.
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By Eliza Bent
Challenge
To create accessible performances for diverse audiences where everyone feels welcome
Plan
Host “relaxed” performances in which the audience is free to move about and make noise and performers can respond in real time
What Worked
Training staff to be aware of audience needs, creating a visual guide for anxious audiences, having a chill-out zone for audience members during the show who need a break
What Didn’t
Not everyone is on board (though they don’t need to be)
What’s Next
Relaxed venues
In 2011, when Jess Thom heard about Mark Thomas’s Extreme Rambling at the Tricycle Theatre in London, she was intrigued. Thom hadn’t been to the theatre in a while, in [...]