Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Everybody’s Welcome
Walton Arts Center offers sensory friendly performances
Sallie Zazal, director of learning and engagement, loves seeing kids react to live theater. “There’s not much I don’t love about it. I see a lot of live theater, but seeing it with a kid is an entirely different experience. Many adults have forgotten how magical being a kid can be,” she says.
Part of the reason is that everything is still so new to them, she says, but you can’t beat their honesty.
“If something is funny, they’re going to give you a solid belly laugh. If not, well … crickets. There’s no polite laughing. They also notice everything, every single detail, from set elements to the most subtle of character interactions. I love standing by the door when they’re headed back to their buses and hearing what they say,” when students come to the Walton Arts Center on field trips.
“Good and bad, their feedback is never dull!”
Each year the Walton Arts Center includes shows for kids and families throughout the season. Coming up next is BRUSH Theatre’s “Poli POP!,” a surreal journey of two siblings who don’t want to go to bed, on Feb. 13, and Tutti Frutti’s “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” on March 5. Both performances will be sensory friendly so that all theatergoers will have a comfortable space to enjoy live theater.
All patrons are welcome for these performances that include modifications for adults and children with sensoryinput disorders like autism as well as anyone who might feel uncomfortable attending a typical live theater performance.
Production sound levels will be lowered. Lights will be dimmed rather than off. Patrons may reenter as needed. Outside the theater, an activity area will be available with a live video feed of the show. A calming corner with fidget toys and bean-bag chairs will also be available for those who need a quiet place to relax.
“Sensory-friendly performances are most often offered as part of our Kids and Family Series,” says Jennifer Wilson, senior director of public relations for the Walton Arts Center and Walmart AMP. She adds that there are quiet spaces available during most events and during their Classroom Series performances.
“That simple accommodation gives anyone who needs it a quiet place to go and be away from the crowds – which can be overwhelming to some,” she says. “Starting this season, we have also started providing bags with support items such as headphones and fidgets.”
Many of these elements were already in practice for the Classroom Series and kids’ shows.
“Our shows for youth and kids have always been ‘non-shushing’ shows, meaning we train our staff and volunteers not to shush children who are vocalizing their excitement during a performance, but we knew there was more we could be doing,” Zazal says.
“We have had many instances where something as simple as keeping the house door propped open just a little bit, offering a family a quiet space to escape from a noisy lobby, or allowing a child to use their tablet or their communication device during a show has made all the difference in the world,” she says.
For the sensory friendly productions, many of the same guidelines for the Classroom Series are the same.
“For many children in Northwest Arkansas, their first live, theatrical experience is on a field trip to Walton Arts Center. While many of us remember field trips as an exciting event, they can also be over-stimulating experiences in unfamiliar spaces,” Zazal says. “By providing [kids] with a space in which they can feel comfortable, we’re hopefully ensuring they feel the theater is a place where they are welcome.”
Plus, the staff enjoys the feedback. “There’s nothing like the energy during a kids’ show — and a theater full of them is amazing. They are so excited and freely interact with the performers,” Wilson says. “But really the best part is when they get completely quiet in the middle of a show. You know they are tuned into the performance and taking it all in.”