During a pre-show discussion, the audience will have the chance to see the cast in their costumes, and get used to certain stimuli.
Broadway musicals are, by design, a feast for the senses. But for many people on the autism spectrum, the bright lights, loud music, and lavish costumes can cause sensory overload.
This Saturday afternoon, Goodspeed Musicals in Haddam will present what it calls an autism-friendly version of the musical "Bye Bye Birdie," a modified performance for people with sensory input disorders. It's a coordinated effort between Goodspeed, and nearby Franklin Academy -- a college prep boarding and day school for teens on the autism spectrum and with other learning disabilities.
With music and dance numbers like "Honestly Sincere" and "A Lot of Livin' to Do," Goodspeed's version of "Bye Bye Birdie" is an over-the-top spectacle. But if you are on the autism spectrum, certain sensory triggers can make a night at the theater seem more like a nightmare.
"I think any new situation can be difficult," said Mary Murphy, residential director of the Franklin Academy. "Sometimes the lobby gets crowded as people sort of surge in and get their tickets, which can be a trigger. 'Bye Bye Birdie' is loud, there is a lot of screaming that normally goes on, there are bright lights, there are phones ringing, there are people dancing through the aisles, and running up and down and popping up in the audience, there are just surprises and sensory overload potential."
Nancy Altschuler, Goodspeed's director of development, said musicals are designed for sensory overload but she's noticed through the years people who have had to leave the theater mid-performance.
"We do, on occasion -- well, probably more than on occasion -- have a patron who gets a little bit overwhelmed, whether it's the lights or loud music, and they end up sitting out in the lobby watching the show on the television," said Altschuler. "We just felt like we needed to do something to welcome those people and make the theater a welcoming place."
Altschuler said Goodspeed decided a while ago to undertake an autism-friendly performance of one of their shows, but they had no idea how to create an atmosphere where people on the autism spectrum would feel comfortable in the theater. So Goodspeed looked to Franklin Academy for guidance.
For a year, representatives from Goodspeed held regular meetings with students from Franklin Academy.
"They asked to have access to our kids, and to learn what it feels like to have sensory issues -- what's helpful and what's not helpful -- so they started from that base," said Murphy.
The result is a full performance of "Bye Bye Birdie" tailored for people with sensory input disorders. It will be quieter: microphone levels on the performers will be lower than usual, and the orchestra has been directed to play quieter. It will be less bright, and the house lights will remain on through the performance.
The show calls for cast members to smoke on stage, but for Saturday's performance the cigarettes will not be lit -- smell can also be a trigger. There will be designated quiet spaces throughout the facility, and patrons will be allowed to freely get up and move around the theater.
Another important aspect of this performance is the pre-show discussion, where the audience will have the chance to see the cast in their costumes, and get used to certain stimuli, like teens dancing in the aisle, and adoring fans screaming.
"A lot of it is preparation," said Murphy. "Some of our students who haven't been able to manage very much, can actually handle quite a lot if they know it's coming."
But the preparations aren't just been for the audience. The cast needs to be ready for patrons getting up and moving about during the performance, or who may be a bit more interactive than your typical audience.
"Cast members may get a response from someone in the audience, when they read their lines," said Altschuler. "They may answer them back." The cast is being advised to ignore any interactions with the audience and simply move forward with the show.
Seniors from Franklin Academy will serve as volunteers for Saturday afternoon's autism friendly performance of "Bye Bye Birdie," helping patrons get from the parking lot to the theater, and getting them through the often overwhelming process of wading through the crowded lobby to get their tickets.
