Neighbor News
Aurora Theatre to present sensory-friendly Christmas Canteen 2016 on December 17
Autism-friendly performance designed for families with children on the autism spectrum or those with sensory issues.
Make spirits bright this winter by joining Aurora Theatre for its annual holly jolly tradition Christmas Canteen 2016! Striking up festive tunes through December 23, Gwinnett’s longest running theatrical extravaganza will usher in the sounds of the season with Canteen veterans Brandon O’Dell, Jen MacQueen, Diany Rodriguez and Lyndsay Ricketson Brown, alongside powerhouse newcomers Christian Magby and Cecil Washington Jr. Complete with laugh-out-loud comedy and sparkling musical numbers, this winter wonderland revue promises a delightful experience for all
As a special event, Aurora Theatre will present a special sensory-friendly performance of Christmas Canteen on Saturday, December 17 at 2:30 p.m. for families with children on the autism spectrum or those who have other sensory issues.
At these performances, the theater environment will be altered, providing a safe, sensory-friendly, comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming for families. While the performance will be performed as written, adjustments will be made to alleviate any overly loud sounds, jarring noises and intense lighting. Aurora Theatre offers this programming, as we are committed to making theater and the arts accessible to all audiences.
Alterations to be made are as follows:
- House lights will remain partially lit during the entire performance
- Assistive communication devices and headphones will be allowed
- Judgment-free experience
- Cast and crew members will have received training to ensure that they are aware of audience needs
- A brief pre-show introduction of the actors in costume (but out of character) to reinforce the fact that the production is pretend
- An expectation that audience members are likely to vocalize and move around during the production
- A separate, staffed “chill-out” space outside the auditorium to allow people to leave the performance if needed (we expect to have a video monitor in the lobby that will show the on-going performance on the stage)
For more information on the sensory-friendly performance of Christmas Canteen or to purchase tickets, visit auroratheatre.com.
