Please save the date for the Autism-Friendly Performance of

WICKED

Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 1pm
Gershwin Theatre
222 West 51st Street
New York, NY 10036

Tickets on sale today @ 10:00 AM
Only at www.tdf.org/wicked

Theatre Development Fund (TDF), the nation’s largest not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts, continues to serve the autism community with their Autism Theatre Initiative, which makes theatre accessible to children and adults who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or other sensitivity issues, and their families.

TDF is delighted to offer an autism-friendly performance of the musical WICKED on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 1pm. For this special performance, accommodations will be made including a supportive audience environment, designated activity and quiet areas and online resource materials. Slight adjustments to the production will include reduction of any jarring sounds or strobe lights. In the theatre lobby there will be quiet areas staffed with autism specialists, if anyone needs to leave their seats during the performance. TDF holds sensitivity training sessions for the entire theatre staff and cast of WICKED. More information about accommodations can be found on the TDF guide to the performance.

TDF’s  Autism Theatre  Intiative launched in 2011 with their production of “The Lion King” designed specifically for the autism community. Following the success of “The Lion King,” TDF’s Autism Theatre mounted autism-friendly performances of “Elf” and “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.”

For individuals with an autism spectrum disorder, it can be very difficult to almost  impossible to attend a the theatre. Lisa Carling, TDF’s Director of Accessibility Programs  shared the goal of the Autism Theatre Initiative in a 2011 interview:

“Our goal is to be as inclusive as possible, welcoming families with children and adults on the autism spectrum, including Asperger’s syndrome, to fill the theatre and be assured that everyone involved with the production—from the cast, production crew and theatre staff—is delighted to have the audience there.  No judgments—just united support in making the theatre experience as enjoyable as possible for its audience.”

The Autism Theatre Initiative  production of WICKED is part of the musical’s celebration of its 10th year on Broadway. Named”Broadway’s Biggest Blockbuster” by The New York Times and winner of the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, WICKED is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. WICKED tells the story of how these two unlikely friends grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good.

TDF also provides story and character guides to make this autism-friendly production even more accessible. At The Calais School, we are thrilled to see TDF make these performances available to students and families.

We hope to see you in the audience!