Art That is Truly for All
It was a bright Sunday morning at the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center when the curtains rose on HGO’s sensory-friendly performance of this season’s Opera to Go! production, Katie: The Strongest of the Strong, which shares the inspiring true story of circus strongwoman turned suffragist Katie Sandwina. The sensory-friendly show, made possible by the Joan and Stanford Alexander Family Fund, represented the second-ever performance of its kind put on by the company.
Sensory-friendly, or relaxed, performances are designed to create a welcoming and supportive environment for families with members on the autism spectrum and others with sensory sensitivities. Accommodations may include adjusted lighting, the omission of flashing lights and loud sounds, designated quiet areas where people can go when overwhelmed, and permission to use electronics and other coping tools during the show. The result is a low-stress environment that allows audience members of all ages to gain exposure to the arts during a performance tailored to fit their comfort levels.
Throughout the planning process for this presentation of Katie, house staff and artists alike were advised by Sensory Stages, a Houston firm that advises venues around the country on ways to make live art more inclusive for all so that every member of the audience, cast, and crew can fully embrace the magic of the stage.
“The most important thing about a sensory-friendly performance is that it feels truly inclusive,” explained Sensory Stages Co-Founder and President Reed Walker. “It’s about creating a judgment-free zone where people can be who they are and enjoy a live performance, which is something that has historically been inaccessible to them in the past.”
The approach extended beyond the surrounding environment and into the performance itself. At a pivotal moment in the show, artists made gestures to warn audience members of impending startling sounds, giving them ample time to put on headphones, remove themselves from the room, or simply prepare for the oncoming noise. Judging by the enthusiastic response from the audience, the joint effort from HGO and Sensory Stages was effective and appreciated.
“My kids could never sit through a full opera,” Sharon, the mother of 4, 5, and 8-year-old children, told Cues after the show. “It would’ve gone right over their heads, not to mention it would’ve been way too long. Shows like this make it so easy for my kids to experience art, so we try to go as many as we can.”
Maria, mom to a 6-year-old and an 8-year old, was also enthusiastic. “My kids get freaked out when it’s dark,” she shared. “It even makes going to the movies overwhelming for them. I thought the house lights being on was a nice touch.”
HGO plans to take this dedication to accessible programming a step further when it brings a family-friendly matinee showing of Cinderella to the Brown Theater for its first-ever HGO Family Day, taking place this fall at the Wortham Theater Center, on November 9 at 11 a.m. The 90-minute opera will be performed in English, with a similar relaxed environment, as well as interactive activities for all to enjoy. Join us!