Introducing Treehouse Shakers' Relaxed Performances
Beginning May 12, Treehouse Shakers' will present our original piece, Olive & Pearl at BAM Fisher, Hillman Studio. Olive & Pearl is our continuing effort to make high-quality performance work for the very young. The piece is geared towards ages 2-5 years old and their families. Treehouse Shakers is excited to announce that for these performances we will include Relaxed Performances. These performances will be part of our commitment to making our work accessible to all. Relaxed Performances are designed to welcome audience members who will benefit from a less restrictive audience environment, including those with sensory processing conditions, Autism, and learning or intellectual disabilities.
At its heart, theater is about inclusion. Since the beginning of producing work for young people, Treehouse Shakers has been committed to serving families and students from low-income and underserved populations. Incorporating the Relaxed Performance (RP) model helps us to continue our commitment to serving all children. It is truly up to us, the performing arts community, to expand our definitions of inclusivity, equity and diversity, and shape the dialogue and actions around making theater for all. For our relaxed performance versions, will seat less audience members with individual seating of grass patches, made out of comfortable, furry fabrics, with tied knots that children who need to fidget can easily twirl and adjust. The performance itself is gentle, created with large moments and movements for those who have difficulty processing or following emotional cues. We will have a "Chill Out" room outside of the theater, with a monitor for children who would like to follow the show without other audience members. Our ushers are all trained in the RP model. Being sensitive to the needs of audiences, allows our work to be inclusive, equitable and impact a greater number of young people and families. Looking ahead, we will continue to add more relaxed performances in our upcoming seasons. For now, I hope you will join us in May.
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| Katie Montoya as Olive in Olive & Pearl. Photograph by Christopher Duggan. |
Olive
& Pearl tells the story of a young girl,
Olive, who is raised by her Granny, Pearl. Centered on thematic elements of
home, and what a home means, young audiences are invited into a cozy and gentle
world, rich with sensory experiences. The story follows Olive throughout her
day, as she is affectionately taken care of by her grandmother. Granny Pearl
builds fires, warms tea, makes meals, has a comforting lap to tell stories on
and safe arms to rock Olive to sleep. Throughout their day the characters play,
go on an imaginary journey to the moon, sing songs, and dance. Puppets, who
reinforce the imagery of home, create additional characters; there is a mouse
in its hole, and a fish in its water bowl and fairies in their fairy tree. Home
is not only the structure of one’s house, but the place one longs for to feel
safety, love and warmth. Magical, visual, stimulating, and
oftentimes funny, Olive & Pearl is performed through beautiful
puppetry, dance and an original live music score inspired by melodies of
Bluegrass, Irish Fiddle, and traditional lullabies. A first introduction into live
theatre, Olive & Pearl is both a mirror and a window, for the very
young child, into what is the meaning of home.
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| Miranda Wilson & Katie Montoya in Olive & Pearl. Photographer, Christopher Duggan |
At its heart, theater is about inclusion. Since the beginning of producing work for young people, Treehouse Shakers has been committed to serving families and students from low-income and underserved populations. Incorporating the Relaxed Performance (RP) model helps us to continue our commitment to serving all children. It is truly up to us, the performing arts community, to expand our definitions of inclusivity, equity and diversity, and shape the dialogue and actions around making theater for all. For our relaxed performance versions, will seat less audience members with individual seating of grass patches, made out of comfortable, furry fabrics, with tied knots that children who need to fidget can easily twirl and adjust. The performance itself is gentle, created with large moments and movements for those who have difficulty processing or following emotional cues. We will have a "Chill Out" room outside of the theater, with a monitor for children who would like to follow the show without other audience members. Our ushers are all trained in the RP model. Being sensitive to the needs of audiences, allows our work to be inclusive, equitable and impact a greater number of young people and families. Looking ahead, we will continue to add more relaxed performances in our upcoming seasons. For now, I hope you will join us in May.
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| Olive & Pearl, photographer Christopher Duggan
Treehouse Shakers' Olive & Pearl
Where:
BAM Fisher, Hillman Studio
321 Ashland Place
Brooklyn, NY 11217
When:
May 12-14, 2018 @11AM
Relaxed Performances:
May 15, 2018 @10AM & 11:30AM
Info & Purchase Tickets
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the
NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, New
York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and
the New York Legislature, and Individual Contributions to Treehouse Shakers. This
event is presented by Treehouse Shakers. Regular BAM house, ticketing and
membership policies may not apply. BAM Fisher is Wheelchair accessible.
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