Sensory-Friendly Performance of ANNIE KIDS This Weekend
By: BWW News Desk Apr. 24, 2017
The live musical production will feature a number of special modifications to create an environment in which kids can enjoy the theater experience at a level of sensory stimulation that is comfortable for them:
- A brief introduction will explain what to expect and ease the children into the experience.
- Music and microphones will be set at a lower volume.
- The performance will take place during daylight with modified lighting.
- Crowd size will be limited to 20 children and 20 caregivers.
- A flexible seating arrangement will allow room for movement.
- No restrictions or necessity to stay in seats throughout the entire performance.
- The shortest version of the musical was selected for its child-friendly 40-minute duration.
- The young cast will practice in advance and be prepared to calmly perform through any noise or activity in the audience.
- As a special treat, all children in attendance will receive a squishy ball and have an opportunity to meet the cast after the show.
The idea to add the sensory-friendly show to the schedule originated with a local parent, says owner Miriam Risko. "After our students put on a very successful performance of Disney's The Lion King KIDS, we had a special request from an Ossining parent. This mom longed to give her child that Broadway-style experience, but was concerned that the child's special needs could be distracting in a conventional theater setting," she says.
"We realized that our Performance Education Space offers exactly the kind of flexibility to make a sensory-friendly show possible. So we did the work to make it happen." That entailed giving up one dress rehearsal date and getting permission to add another show to the lineup, as well as getting the cast and crew performance-ready on a tighter schedule.
The parent referred to by Risko is Mary Stapleton, the mother of a third grade daughter with special needs. "I know that Miriam Risko has a heart of gold, so I reached out to her about creating a special show with specific adjustments for children with special needs," she said. "A 'sensory-friendly' show would make all the difference in terms of the children really enjoying the production and getting the most out of it."
Mrs. Stapleton is planning to bring a box of squishy balls to hand out to the children at this special performance.
"There are many shows like this in the city, but it is a rarity in Westchester," says Stapleton. "I am so thankful to Mike Risko Music for this show and hope that there will now be more shows and opportunities for children with special needs in Westchester like this."
A special sensory-friendly production will now become a regular addition to the
Risko musical theater performance schedule, Risko says. "A big part of our mission at Mike Risko Music School is to bring free, live performances to the community," says co-owner Mike Risko.
Mike Risko Music School, located at 144 Croton Avenue in Ossining New York, is an innovative performance-oriented music school offering classes, workshops, camps, and private lessons in all instruments and voice in a wide range of musical styles including classical, jazz, rock and musical theater. Founded in 1995, Mike Risko Music is a four-time winner of Westchester Magazine's Best of Westchester award, as well as Westchester Family's Family Favorites, Westchester Business Journal's Best Family-Owned Business, and the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) - and continues to grow as a part of the Westchester community-at-large with several charitable programs aiming to give thousands of people the opportunity to play an instrument. For more information, call 914-762-8757 or visit http://www.mikeriskomusicschool.com/.
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