Foreword / by Jonathan Shmidt-Chapman -- Sensory theatre : the beginnings -- Theatre for two to five year olds -- All sorts of shows for all sorts of kid -- How long is a piece of theatre? -- Close up on PMLD -- Truly immersive : theatre in hydropools -- Magic carpet ride -- From PMLD to autism spectrum -- Sensory theatre for the very early years -- Sensory theatre audiences -- Sensory theatre is multisensory -- The senses one by one : the sense of seeing -- The senses one by one : the sense of hearing -- The senses one by one : the sense of touch -- The senses one by one : the sense of smell -- The senses one by one : the sense of taste -- The senses one by one : the kinaesthetic sense -- The senses one by one : the sense of hot and cold -- The sensory audit -- Sensory theatre is close-up and interactive -- Wonderlands : design in sensory theatre -- Staging a show : Stranden -- Venues : open and closed -- Music that is felt as much as heard -- The problem with narrative -- The performers in sensory theatre -- Puppets and pixels -- Auditions -- Rehearsals and rehearsal space -- Shows that start before they begin : preparation -- Canada : Carousel Players -- USA : Chicago Children's Theatre -- UK : Bamboozle -- Ireland : Helium Arts -- Japan : Hospital Theatre Project -- Australia : Sensorium Theatre -- Russia : Four Winds Project -- UK : Frozen Light -- USA : Trusty Sidekick and Lincoln Centre -- Sweden : Scen:se Project -- Wales -- National Theatre of Wales and Oily Cart -- What next for Oily Cart? -- Can we touch? : sensory theatre in a time of Covid.
Summary:
"Sensory Theatre: How to Make Interactive, Inclusive, Immersive Theatre for Diverse Audiences by a Founder of Oily Cart is an accessible step-by-step guide to creating theatre for inclusive audiences, such as young people on the autism spectrum or affected by other neuro-divergent conditions and children under two. Conventional theatre relies on seeing and hearing to involve its audience; sensory theatre harnesses the power of five or more senses to address its participants who have different ways of relating to the world around them. This book is an insightful history of Oily Cart and its pioneering development of work for the very young, including Baby Theatre, and for neuro-divergent audiences including those on the autism spectrum. It gives a clear introduction to the fundamental concepts of this theatre, suggests a host of practical techniques drawn from over forty years of experience, and describes some of Oily Cart's most radical innovations, including theatre on trampolines, in hydrotherapy pools, and with flying audiences in the company of aerial artists. The book also includes copious photos from the Oily Cart's archives and links to videos examples of the company's work. Readers will learn how to: - Research the intended audience while not being led astray by labels. - Create a welcoming, immersive sensory space in classrooms, nurseries, school halls, and playgrounds. - Devise sensory stories that can be adapted to suit different audiences. - Recruit, audition, cast, and run rehearsals. - Ensure that the production is truly sensory and interactive. Written for Theatre for Young Audiences, Drama in Education, and specialized Applied Theatre courses, as well as educators and theatre practitioners interested in creating inclusive, interactive productions, Sensory Theatre offers a goldmine of ideas for making work that connects with audiences who can be the hardest to reach"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.