FEATURES.
American Theatre Feature Story
This Rhode Island company is both fostering new work by neurodiverse artists and creating new guidelines for the inclusion of neurodiverse audiences. Picture a telephone booth, if you’re old enough to have seen one of those, or a shower stall with glass doors. Except this one is on wheels, and instead of running water or a landline inside, this one comes equipped with soundproofing, pull-down blackout shades, and a pair of headphones. It is a safe space meant to offset a chaotic environment, tucked in the back of a crowded theatre or in the corner at a rock concert. With a little ingenuity, it could be the future of sensory-friendly performance.[Read More]
ARP Grant Spotlight: Spectrum Theatre Ensemble (Rhode Island)
“It is estimated that 1 in 7 people has a neurodivergent condition, meaning that their brain processes, learns, or behaves differently from what is considered “typical.” Neurodivergence can take a myriad of forms, including autism, attention deficit disorder, and dyslexia, among many other conditions, the symptoms of which can sometimes make it challenging to engage with the arts. From collaborating with neurodivergent artists, playwrights, and staff to addressing sensory needs during performances, Rhode Island-based Spectrum Theatre Ensemble (STE) works to provide equitable opportunities for both neurodivergent and neurotypical people to engage with all that the company has to offer…” [Read More]
Offscript: Trinity Rep, Neurodiversity, and the Spectrum Theatre Ensemble
“The October season preview issue of American Theatre is focused on education and engagement programming at theatre companies across the country. In conjunction with that issue, TCG’s Audience (R)Evolution program is rolling out this limited podcast series to further explore the topic. In our last episode we spoke to education and engagement professionals about their work; in this episode, associate editor Allison Considine chronicles her visit to Trinity Repertory Company to attend the Spectrum Theatre Ensemble’s workshop The Importance of Being and a sensory-friendly performance of Ragtime. [Listen Here]
‘“On May 2 and 3, the class culminates in a symposium titled Neurodiversity in Action. The two-day event, which is free and open to the public, brings together scholars and artists from across the United States for panel discussions, poetry readings, an art exhibit and a theatrical performance by Providence-based Spectrum Theatre Ensemble, all of which focus on recent efforts to raise awareness to the neurodiversity concept…” [Read More]
News from Brown: Brown Course Delves into Neurological Difference