The New Victory Theater Hosts
Autism-Friendly Performances in 2014-15 Season
Theater Supports the Needs of Individuals with ASD
The New Victory Theater, New York City’s premier performing arts venue dedicated to bringing kids to the arts and the arts to kids, will host a series of autism-friendly performances in the 2014-15 Season to encourage regular theatergoing for families with kids on the autism spectrum.
Committed to reflecting the diverse communities of New York City, The New Victory Theater invites families to enjoy world-class performing arts together in a supportive, engaging and judgement-free environment. In consultation with Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc., select performances in the New Victory season will be modified to accommodate and support the sensory, social and emotional needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder:
Saturday October 18, 2014 7:00pm
The Snail and the Whale
Tall Stories from London, England
For Ages 4-7, Theater, 50 minutes
Friday December 12, 2014 7:00pm
Cirque Zíva
Golden Dragon Acrobats from He Nan Province, China
For everyone 5+, Circus, 60 minutes
Friday April 10, 2015 7:00pm (spring break week)
Catch Me! (Attrape-moi)
Flip FabriQue from Québec City, Canada
For everyone 5+, Circus, 75 minutes
Saturday April 25, 2015 7:00pm
The Mysterious Hat
Justin Roberts & The Not Ready for Naptime Players from New York, NY
For ages 4-7, Concert, 50 minutes
In order to make the show more accessible to individuals on the autism spectrum and their families, modifications for autism-friendly performances include adjustments to the technical aspects of the show, quiet areas in the lobbies and specialized training for the Front of House staff and ushers; more specifically, the New Vic will offer:
- A relaxed atmosphere in the theater whichallows patrons to talk and vocalize as they wish, as well as leave and re-enter the seating area as needed;
- Limited capacity in the theater to ensure the comfort and safety of the whole audience;
- An activity area in the lobby with coloring, fidget toys and a live video feed of the show on stage;
- A calming corner with fidget toys and bean bag chairs, providing patrons with a quiet place to relax;
- A gender-neutral Family Restroom;
- Lower sound levels and advance warning of any loud or potentially startling noises in the show;
- Partially dimmed house lights so the theater is not completely dark; and
- Autism Support Specialists to help facilitate activities and assist families throughout the performance.
Families who have never been to The New Victory Theater are invited to “meet their seat” in advance of each performance and explore the lobbies and seating areas. Through these services, The New Victory looks forward to welcoming families with diverse needs to the theater all season long. Visit New Victory website to learn more about each autism-friendly performance along with all of the shows in the 2014-15 season.
General Ticket Information
Tickets for autism-friendly performances at The New Victory Theater are the same as regularly priced tickets. Theatergoers who buy tickets for three or more New Victory shows qualify for free Membership, with benefits including 35-percent savings on tickets all season long and unlimited free ticket exchanges.
For The Snail and The Whale and The Mysterious Hat, tickets are $17 for Members, with full price tickets starting at $25. For Catch Me! (Attrape-moi), tickets are $10, $13, $18 or $25 for Members and $15, $19, $28 or $38 at full price, based on seat locations. For Cirque Zíva, which runs throughout the holiday season, Member tickets start at $13 and full price tickets start at $19. For “Bridge Shows” (Shows designed to introduce young theatergoers to a traditional theater setting), Member tickets are $17 and full price tickets are $25.
Tickets will be available online (NewVictory.org) and by telephone (646.223.3010). Beginning September 2, The New Victory Theater box office (209 West 42nd Street) will be open Sunday and Monday from 11am-5pm and Tuesday through Saturday from 12pm-7pm.
About Autism Friendly Spaces
Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc. is a New York-based nonprofit whose mission is to transform spaces and open minds to welcome the full participation of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in all aspects of life. Autism Friendly Spaces strives to create a world in which all individuals have full access to everything and anything they want or need to do. The organization works with institutions to make both their physical spaces and the services they provide accommodating and accepting to people with developmental disabilities. Whether it is training airport personnel, modifying a Broadway show or reconfiguring a local grocery store, Autism Friendly Spaces unlocks previously unimaginable opportunities.
About The New Victory Theater
The New Victory Theater introduces extraordinary performing artists from around the world to extraordinary audiences in New York City, bringing kids to the arts and arts to kids. Created in 1995 for young New Yorkers, their families and schoolmates, The New Victory Theater presents a diverse season of international companies at low ticket prices year after year. Through the theater’s award-winning education programs, The New Victory continues to provide access to schools and communities of New York City who seek to experience and engage with the work on our stages, often for the very first time. The theater’s contributions to the cultural landscape of the city were celebrated by the prestigious New York critics’ organization, The Drama Desk, which presented The New Victory Theater with a 2012 Special Award for “providing enchanting, sophisticated children’s theater that appeals to the child in all of us, and for nurturing a love of theater in young people.”
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