Trinity Repertory Company Sets Sensory-Friendly Performances for Entire 2018–2019 Lineup | Playbill

Regional News Trinity Repertory Company Sets Sensory-Friendly Performances for Entire 2018–2019 Lineup The Rhode Island company will adjust select performances in its new season to meet the needs of audience members with autism and other sensory-processing disorders.
Trinity Repertory Theater Trinity Rep

The Tony Award-winning Trinity Repertory Company will hold sensory-friendly performances for all of their 2018-2019 productions. These performances will be moderately adjusted to fit the needs of audience members with autism and other sensory-processing disorders.

The sensory-friendly performances will be identical to other performances of the shows, but will feature a lantern placed discretely in the theatre to let the audience know when a loud sound or intense lighting cue is about to play. This would give theatregoers the chance to close their eyes or block their ears. There will also be trained ushers in the audience to offer assistance, a social story and plot synopsis sent in advance, and a space in the lobby for patrons to return to if they need a break from the performance.

Tickets to these sensory-friendly performances can be purchased as a subscription starting at $114 for all six plays or starting at $25 for single productions. Non-subscription tickets will go on sale August 14, 2018.

The Sensory-Friendly Series includes the following performances:
Pride and Prejudice: October 30 at 7:30 pm
black odyssey: January 29, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Macbeth: February 26 at 7:30 pm
The Song of Summer: April 9 at 7:30 pm
Little Shop of Horrors: May 7 at 7:30 pm
Marisol: June 11 at 7:30 pm

Additionally, Trinity Rep will offer a sensory-friendly and family-friendly performance of A Christmas Carol through a new initiative titled Sensory-Friendly Plus!. The November 17 performance will keep the house lights on and invite patrons to make sounds and enter or exit as needed. A Sensory-Friendly Plus! performance of Little Shop of Horros will take place May 11.

This marks Trinity Rep's second year of providing sensory-friendly performances; in the first year, the regional company worked with key partners including Spectrum Theater Ensemble, a local theater group committed to working with artists on and off the autism spectrum, to lay the foundation for the program.

“We had a fantastic sensory friendly season last year, and existing subscribers seemed very supportive of this new offering. The warning lights and list of potential triggers were helpful for those who needed it but was non-intrusive for those who wanted to keep the shows spoiler-free,” stated Trinity Rep's Director of Education Jordan Butterfield. “This is all part of a planned initiative to break down barriers for entry and make Trinity Rep as inclusive as possible for all people.”

In addition to the sensory-friendly performances, Trinity Rep’s accessibility commitment extends to the addition of two open-captioned performances for each subscription series production. Accessible seating and assistive listening devices are also provided at every performance.

For more information on our 2018-19 season, call the box office at (401) 351-4242 or visit TrinityRep.com.

 
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