Tomorrow, Roxey Ballet, a ballet company based in Lambertville, New Jersey, will present a sensory-friendly adaptation of Cinderella for audience members with autism and other sensory disabilities.
So what is ‘sensory-friendly’ exactly?
In Roxey Ballet’s Cinderella, special effects and extreme lighting have been eliminated, house lights are on at roughly 50% and the sound levels in the theater are much lower. Also, audience members are free to get up and walk around during the performance, as needed. In the lobby, there will be silent areas and areas for activity, complete with earplugs and objects to play with.
“Studies have shown that theatre experiences increase social skills for students with autism. Our sensory-friendly performance allows everyone to experience ballet in a comfortable, nurturing, and accepting environment,” says Hailey Glover, Director of Education and Outreach.
Check out this behind-the-scenes footage from Roxey Ballet’s Cinderella.
