Inspired by sensory-friendly performances on Broadway, Syracuse City Ballet will host its first accessible version of “The Nutcracker” this season.

The sensory-friendly performance will take place Sunday at 10 a.m. Tickets are $25 and seating is general admission, allowing audience members to sit where they are most comfortable. The show is an abridged version, running an hour long.

“There are no strict theater rules that people usually have in their minds,” said Rachael Cierniakoski, company manager and ballet mistress. “Whatever happens will happen, and the show will go on.”

This performance is designed to establish an ideal environment for audience members on the autism spectrum. Changes made to the show include reduced sound and stage light levels, elimination of startling noises and partially raised house lights.

The venue will have designated areas outside the main theater for audience members who may need a break from the show. Specially trained staff members and volunteers will be available throughout the performance for families who need assistance.

“It’s a judgment-free zone. You can go and relax, and it’s OK,” said Kathleen Rathbun, artistic director. “We’ll spread holiday cheer to families that really don’t get to do a lot or maybe have never really been in a theater.”

Rathbun was inspired to plan a sensory-performance after her daughter, Claire Rathbun, performed in a sensory-friendly show of “CATS” on Broadway. Kathleen said Claire called it “one of the most fulfilling performances that she’s ever done.”

The Theatre Development Fund, known as TDF, is a nonprofit organization that works with Broadway and regional productions to provide materials needed to host sensory-friendly performances.

This year, TDF has collaborated with the Broadway productions of “CATS,” “The Lion King,” “Come From Away,” “Wicked” and “Aladdin” through their Autism Theatre Initiative.

“There are very few opportunities for parents with kids or adults on the spectrum to go and enjoy something together,” said Lisa Carling, director of accessibility programs at TDF. “(At autism-friendly performances) they can just relax, they don’t have to explain behavior or feel uncomfortable about any atypical outbursts.”

The Autism Theatre Initiative shares its ideas and methods in working with theaters across the nation with its sensory-friendly performances. The program worked with Syracuse City Ballet by providing resources and guidance throughout the planning process.

In addition to sharing insight about adaptations to the performance itself, the Autism Theatre Initiative assisted Syracuse City Ballet in developing a story guide to help audience members understand the plot of “The Nutcracker” and its characters. The story guide is emailed to ticket holders before the show so families can learn about the show beforehand.

“We want everyone to enjoy live theater,” Carling said. “Atypical behavior should not be a barrier to coming into the theatre and being part of an audience.”

The adaptations for the sensory-friendly performance are all technical, so none of the choreography changes. This allows the audience to still “get the full impact of the show that they’re coming to see,” Cierniakoski said.

This is the first time Syracuse City Ballet will host a sensory-friendly performance. The ballet had discussed its plan with Syracuse Stage, which has collaborated with the Autism Theatre Initiative in the past, to host sensory-friendly shows.

“We called (Syracuse Stage) and asked them if there’s anything we should change and they were so willing to share that information with us,” Cierniakoski said. “I feel like if these arts organizations keep working together then we can make it accessible for everybody.”

The addition of the sensory-friendly performance and immense talent of the company makes this year’s performance different than any other year, Rathbun said. She said “The Nutcracker” is an ideal show for a sensory-friendly performance, and added that the ballet plans to host one every year.

“It’s ideal because the minute you walk in, it’s the holiday season, and it’s just magical,” Rathbun said. “It’s fast-paced and fun, and everybody loves it, so it was a perfect match.”

Published on November 26, 2017 at 8:44 pm

Contact Haley: hrober03@syr.edu