Author: Sarah Fieger Robertson, CVP
FM Issue: May/June 2017
The Performing Arts Managers Conference, hosted in Chicago from February 27 to March 1, exemplified the sharing of ideas and expanding knowledge. The attendees discussed how to increase revenue, enhance security offerings, new ways to manage volunteers, and artist negotiations. One session highlighted the ability to reach a new audience, which many may not have considered in the past.
At least 1 in 68 children are placed on the autism spectrum, and this number is increasing each year. With the growing population, providing accessibility and programming for these patrons is something that every performing arts center should consider. Sensory (or Autism) friendly programming is intended for an audience of children or adults who are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, or other sensitivities and their family and friends. After attending this session and helping the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio, Texas, start our sensory-friendly offerings, I wanted to explore the process of launching this program with Kendall Purpura, vice president and chief development officer, and Sarah Saenz, education coordinator.
Generation NEXT, The Tobin Center’s Education Initiative, has a mission to inspire, enrich, and educate the youth of the region by providing access to world-class arts experiences for everyone. To start reaching “everyone,” The Tobin Center began researching established sensory-friendly programming and looking for partners to demonstrate the nuances of the new audience. San Antonio’s Magik Theatre offers sensory-friendly performances for each of their productions throughout the season. This provided Saenz the opportunity to observe the process in her own backyard. At the beginning of the process, it is important to learn about the needs of your local autism community and include them in the planning. She worked closely with Celia Hughes, executive director of Very Special Arts Texas, to understand the vision for creating inclusive education programming.
After gaining a strong understanding of San Antonio’s needs, Purpura and Saenz reached out to nationally established programs like the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The Kennedy Center launched their special education initiative in 2012 and focused on maintaining the artistic integrity of the performance while adapting the venue policies and procedures to accommodate the audience. There are no modifications done to the performance that hinders the arts form or the artists onstage in anyway.
Tobin Center President and CEO Michael Fresher provided an introduction to the Bushnell Performing Arts Center and their well-established education program and experienced staff.
Yolande Spears, vice president of education at the Bushnell Performing Arts Center, directed Purpura and Saenz to their greatest resource and partner, the Theatre Development Fund (TDF). Since 2012, the Theatre Development Fund in New York, through their Autism Theatre Initiative, has worked with theaters across the country to help them develop sensory-friendly programming. As consultants, TDF provided step-by-step support for The Tobin Center in the planning of its first sensory-friendly performance, including having a team member onsite.
Victoria Bailey, executive director of TDF, came to The Tobin Center to assist during the sensory-friendly performance by Parsons Dance Company. Bailey observed the staff and volunteer training, suggested changes to the venue to accommodate patrons, and served as a wealth of knowledge throughout the first show. The Theatre Development Fund’s support during the design and implementation of the program was invaluable.
The ultimate goal is to create a welcoming and accepting environment for this audience, by adapting venue policies and procedures. The Tobin Center kept the house lights on and the sound levels were lowered. The venue provided patrons the opportunity to be themselves. During the performance, no one was asked to be quiet or leave the performance; their reactions to the show were encouraged and accepted. The Tobin Center used the capability of its flexible floor to create additional accessibility seating at the front of the hall and a dance floor, should attendees want to participate in the art form.
The most incredible outcome of hosting sensory-friendly performances is the impact on the audience. Since launching in Fall 2016, The Tobin Center has reached over 800 people in the special needs community. Over 60 percent of the attendees at the sensory-friendly performance of The Nutcracker said this was their first outing as a family, organization, or school group. One mother said, “I am glad I did not have to explain my daughter to anyone, and I felt comfortable being around other families like us.” No other audience appreciates the performance and the experience more than these patrons.
After a successful beginning to The Tobin Center’s sensory-friendly programming, Purpura and Saenz look forward to growing the offerings each season. Ultimately, they would like to have multiple productions that reach audiences across the autism spectrum and find exciting ways to engage the visual and hearing impaired communities. They also want to encourage The Tobin Center’s 10 resident companies, including San Antonio Symphony, Ballet San Antonio, and Opera San Antonio, to provide sensory-friendly programming as part of their seasons each year.
If you are interested in beginning sensory-friendly performances at your venue, please reach out to the Theatre Development Fund. To apply for their consultation, send a letter of inquiry to autism@tdf.org describing your theater’s current accessibility services and where you are in the planning process with offering autism-friendly/sensory-friendly programming. For more information about The Tobin Center’s sensory-friendly program, please contact Sarah Saenz at sarah.saenz@tobincenter.org or call 210-223-3333.
Sarah Fieger Robertson, CVP, is house and volunteer services manager for The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio.
