STAGES St. Louis to Offer Sensory-Friendly Performances of Disney's ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Following the enormous success of STAGES' inaugural Sensory-Friendly performance of its Theatre for Young Audiences production in 2015, this year STAGES held two Sensory-Friendly performances of Disney's Alice in Wonderland on Tuesday, July 28th at 10:00AM and 1:30PM at The Playhouse at Westport Plaza in Maryland Heights.

Modeled on the nationally-renowned Theatre Development Fund (TDF) Accessibility Program's Autism Theatre initiative, the special performances provided those on the autism spectrum or with other sensitivity conditions an accessible, friendly experience in which to experience live musical theatre.

Jack Lane, Executive Producer of STAGES St. Louis: "The Sensory-Friendly performances at STAGES St. Louis are quickly becoming one of my favorite annual projects due to their incredibly visible impact. Many of those in the audience have the opportunity to experience Live Theatre for the very first time in a judgement free setting that has been specifically designed for them. We are incredibly happy and proud to be able to provide such a life changing experience."

In 2015, STAGES sought out guidance and advice about hosting a sensory-friendly performance from several professionals including Philip Dallmann, Manager of Accessibility Programs of TDF. Following their recommendations, adjustments made to the production included passing out "fidgets" - this year's Wonderland theme featured small, stuffEd White rabbits - which were given to each audience member upon entering the theatre. Other adjustments included house lights remaining partially on throughout the show, comfortable volume levels and the elimination of jarring sound effects, Audience members free to talk and leave their seats under the supervision of a parent or caregiver, snacks and drinks allowed inside the theatre, the permission of headphones if needed, and the availability of on-site support team. In addition, a separately-staffed "Quiet Zone" was made available directly outside the theatre if a student needed to leave the performance for any reason. Special resources such as a "Social Story" walk-through of the day-of-performance experience, and a "Character Guide" comparing the actors to their stage characters and to their film counterparts helped set expectations for attendees in advance of the production.

Michael Donovan, the Executive Director of the Missouri Arts Council: "STAGES' dedication to inclusion and accessibility makes a difference for the children and their families. We are proud to support your efforts in making the arts available for all. Thank you for helping me understand the needs you are addressing, and the extensive details involved in addressing this. What STAGES does is impressive on many levels!"

Thanks to the generous support of the event's Production Sponsors, the performance drew an audience of individual families and groups as well as students and teachers from the Special School District of St. Louis County's Litzsinger School - a pre-existing relationship built through STAGES' Access the Arts programs. Since 2005, STAGES' Access the Arts programming has provided classes, workshops, and performance opportunities enabling children with physical, cognitive, and developmental challenges, including Down syndrome, visual impairments, and autism, to participate fully in the musical theatre arts. Taught by professionally-trained teaching artists and special educators, Access the Arts includes year-round once-a-week classes, multi-week summer workshops, and the performing ensemble Troupe Broadway. Access the Arts is the only program of its kind in the St. Louis region and currently serves more than 350 students annually.

Paula Berner, The Litzsinger School District: "So often, students with differing abilities are limited from enjoying experiences such as musical theatre due to a variety of circumstances including accessibility, behaviors, money, etc. STAGES St. Louis provided our students with the opportunity to experience not only the wonder and magic of musical theatre, but they also adapted to the environment to allow our students to freely be the beautiful beings that they are with no judgment and total acceptance from all those involved...what a gift to our students, their families, and the Litzsinger staff!"

STAGES ST. LOUIS is the region's foremost not-for-profit company committed to preserving and advancing the art form of Musical Theatre through excellence in performance and education. In 2016, STAGES celebrates its 30th year of producing Broadway-quality theatre, presenting 135 performances from June through October to nearly 50,000 patrons.

STAGES would like to thank Corporate Sponsor Emerson, Production Sponsor Susan M. Hale, and Outreach Sponsors ElizaBeth Green, Sakiyama Family Foundation, and Lindell Bank. Special thanks to the Theatre Development Fund's Autism Theatre Initiative for serving as an advisor. For more, visit www.tdf.org/autism.

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