Trinity Rep | Announcing Sensory-Friendly Plus Performance of RAGTIME
Announcing the Sensory-Friendly PLUS performance of Ragtime
TICKETS ON SALE FOR MAY 26
PROVIDENCE, RI – In support of its commitment to theater for all, Trinity Repertory Company announces its May 26, 2:00 pm Sensory-Friendly PLUS performance of Ragtime. Designed to meet the needs of children and adults on the autism spectrum, and/or individuals with sensory processing disorders or other cognitive disabilities, this sensory-friendly performance featuresmodified sound, lighting and other adjustments. Patrons are invited to make sounds, enter and exit as needed during the performance and enjoy the show with their families. More information about the Sensory-Friendly PLUS performances can be found at trinityrep.com/sensoryfriendly. Tickets can be purchased online at TrinityRep.com or by calling the box office at (401) 351-4242.
The Tony Award-winning musical Ragtime was written by Terrence McNally (book), Stephen Flaherty (music), and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics). Under the direction of Artistic Director Curt Columbus, Trinity Rep’s production examines how the musical, which is set in 1906, reflects the country’s current political and social climate. Based on the celebrated 1975 novel of the same name by E.L. Doctorow, the musical tackles race, women’s rights, immigration, and workers’ rights.
The musical interweaves the stories of an upper-class white family living in New Rochelle, NY at the turn of the 20th century, an African American musician from Harlem named Coalhouse Walker, Jr., and Tateh, a Latvian immigrant to New York. Their paths are initially connected only by the famous, real-life figures that also appear in the show, including Harry Houdini, J.P. Morgan, Henry Ford, and others. Over the course of the show, the main characters lives intersect in ways that profoundly affect their families’ fates.
Trinity Rep has long offered special sensory-friendly performances of A Christmas Carol, and beginning with the current 2017-18 Season added sensory-friendly performances for all of its productions. This addition is rooted in Trinity Rep’s belief in creating accessible theater for all. In addition to be fully accessible, Trinity Rep also offers an Open Captioned performance for each show and has recently acquired the equipment and training to bring this service in-house, opening opportunities for more frequent Open Captioned performances.
Trinity Rep’s Artistic Leadership/Inclusion Fellow Clay Martin has led the charge to create Trinity Rep’s sensory-friendly season. “With the sensory-friendly season initiative, we were hoping to build on the success and passion that created both the TRAIN program [Trinity Rep’s Active Imagination Network, an acting and improvisation curriculum to engage children and adults with autism] as well as our sensory friendly performances of A Christmas Carol,” he said. “We want to make sure that people of all abilities know that they can be part of the Trinity Rep family and are welcome at all of our shows.”
Daniel Perkins, current House Assistant at Trinity Rep and founding member of the Spectrum Theatre Ensemble is excited about the work of the Ensemble and Trinity Rep collaboration: “Growing up with autism, theater has helped me to understand the world around me and to articulate my thoughts clearly. The Spectrum Theatre Ensemble and Trinity Rep’s sensory-friendly program will bring the theater experience to people on the spectrum in a way no one else can. “
TRINITY REPERTORY COMPANY
Rhode Island’s Tony Award-winning theater, Trinity Rep has created unparalleled professional theater for and with its community since its founding in 1963. Trinity Rep strives to facilitate human connection and has been a driving force behind the creativity that fuels and defines the region for more than 50 years.
Trinity Rep is committed to reinventing the public square and inspiring dialogue by creating emotionally-stimulating live productions that range from classical to contemporary and innovative education programs for all ages and abilities. Its annual production of A Christmas Carol has brought families together for 40 years and made memories for over a million audience members.
For more information visit Trinity Rep’s website at www.TrinityRep.com.