Blue Man Group Boston will be hosting a sensory-friendly show Sunday, June 26, 2016 at 11am, collecting donations at shows at the Charles Playhouse for Autism Speaks.
Blue Man Group co-founder Phil Stanton on why this partnership is an important step: "We've heard from many families affected by autism that their children responded to the Blue Man character in a very moving way. We don't know the exact reason. We can only speculate that it has to do with the Blue Men communicating in their own unique way — non-verbally, through visuals, touch and sound. Their message often resonates on a deeper, more sincere level. Once we knew that we could be helpful or provide an outlet for those affected by autism, we felt it was important to do more. With our sensory-friendly shows, we want to create a safe and welcoming environment for individuals and families affected by this disorder, in the hopes that they can have an entertaining and joyful experience together."
Slight modifications will be made including:
Reduction of sound and light levels at various moments during the performance. Please note that while light levels will be reduced, strobe lighting is still used in the show. Contact us for further information.
Sound reducing headphones or earplugs (depending on market) available upon request
Blue Men will limit the amount of "chair walking" and keep their approach to the audience more subdued
Calming environments in each theatre's lobby for families seeking a break from the excitement
Blues guitarist and recent Berklee College of Music graduate, Noé Socha, opened for legendary New Orleans Bluesman Henry Butler presented in a format known as Inclusive by Design℠.
Inclusive by Design℠ concerts are multi-art, multi-sensory events. Music is selected with rich narrative and visual content that is interpreted by visual artist Nancy Ostrovsky creating a large mural live on stage. All of the visual elements are represented for the entire audience through audio description, adding a strong language, even poetic, component. The performance is also interpreted in American Sign Language, and everything that is said or spoken is also captioned and presented on an LED screen. The end result is an engaging multi-disciplinary experience that allows people of all abilities, including those who may be Deaf or hard of hearing or blind or have low vision, to be fully engaged in a shared creative experience.
Henry Butler is a five-time W.C. Handy "Best Blues Piano Instrumentalist" award nominee, Henry Butler knows no limitations. Although blinded by glaucoma since birth, Butler is also a world-class photographer. Playing piano since the age of six, Butler is a master of musical diversity. A rich amalgam of jazz, Caribbean, classical, pop, R&B and blues influences, his music is as excitingly eclectic as that of his New Orleans birthplace. Butler joined the IbD creative team in 2006 for a concert at the Gene Harris Festival and performed again in this format in 2009 at a concert hosted and recorded by WGBH.
June 18, 2016
Sheraton Hotel
Dalton Street, Boston
Unlimited is a program based in the United Kingdom which supports high quality, extraordinary art by disabled artists. In partnership with the British Council, Unlimited is offering a professional development placement for a disabled person who is based outside of the UK and who is working or beginning to work as an arts producer, arts curator, or arts administrator.
The placement aims to support the next generation of arts leaders and is a unique opportunity, offering a hands-on experience of the delivery of Unlimited as a commissioning and funding program.
This opportunity is fully supported by a grant to cover financial expenses incurred and provide any access support.
For full details and application, visit the Unlimited website. The deadline for applications is Monday May 23, 2016.
