Beyond Autism-Friendly: New Accessible, Affordable Multi-Sensory Theatre Is “Out There!”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Anna Marr (Marketing Director)

anna@bluelacestc.com | 440-242-8534

Beyond Autism-Friendly: New Accessible, Affordable Multi-Sensory Theatre Is "Out There!"

Tickets open for New York's first company solely devoted to designing for audiences with developmental differences

NEW YORK April 25, 2016 - Bluelaces Theater Company is accepting ticket requests for its first production, "Out There!" The show welcomes audiences with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental differences into an environment accessible for all ages and abilities. Presented by The Performance Project at University Settlement, it runs May 21-29 at University Settlement's Speyer Hall.

• Saturdays, May 21 and May 28, 2016: 10:30 a.m. / 12 p.m. / 3 p.m. / 4:30 p.m.
  Sundays, May 22 and May 29, 2016: 11:30 a.m. / 1 p.m. / 2:30 p.m.

• Speyer Hall at University Settlement (184 Eldridge St., New York, N.Y. 10002)

• Pay-what-you-can/$10 suggested donation

Unlike a one-time, adapted Autism-friendly performance, "Out There!" is originally designed specifically for audiences with developmental differences. Interactive and multisensory, this theatrical adventure explores outer space. It is directed by Bluelaces's Co-Artistic Director Alison Mahoney (recent Assistant Director for Lincoln Center Education and Trusty Sidekick Theater's "Up and Away" for young audiences with ASD) and features 4 actors and 5 Adventure Guides. Adventure Guides pair with each audience member for an individually tailored experience.

Tickets are limited; each show has an audience size of 5 to 10 to keep its Adventure Guide to audience member ratio at 1:2. Email ticketing@bluelacestc.com or call 646-883-BLUE to request tickets. Bluelaces offers pay-what-you-can tickets to keep its programming also economically accessible.

"Because the performers were heavily involved in developing the show, they have total ownership over the material and can modify it to fit each different audience group. We do our best to not only accept but also celebrate our audiences! " Mahoney said.

"Out There!" is presented through University Settlement's Performance Project. Start your exploration of inclusive theatre at www.bluelacestc.com. For more, email Marketing Director Anna Marr at anna@bluelacestc.com.

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NOTES TO EDITOR

Photos available upon request.

About Bluelaces

Bluelaces believes that all individuals, regardless of ability status, should have the opportunity to experience the magic of theater in a lively and welcoming environment. We offer individuals and their caregivers the ability to experience theater together, free from behavioral expectations. We challenge the limitations of theatrical convention to create interactive, multi-sensory adventures.

Once a pipe dream of a few undergraduate theatre and psychology majors at Northwestern University, Bluelaces began as a student organization called Theatre Stands with Autism (TSWA). In August 2014, Bluelaces was formed in New York City. Our current board of directors received training from Jacqui Russell, Artistic Director of Chicago Children's Theatre and founder of their Red Kite Project, a company dedicated to producing theater and conducting drama workshops for children with ASD. Part of Bluelaces's board have also studied with London-based company Oily Cart, the company that pioneered theater for children with developmental and physical differences.

About The Performance Project at University Settlement

Since 2007, The Performance Project has been offering local young artists and professional emerging artists opportunities to connect, create and publicly present new work. We support artists who are interested in how live art can heal, empower and activate. The artists we work with commit to organizational and creative practices that promote trust, imagination and power-sharing.