What Are Relaxed Performances

Treehouse Shakers' Olive & Pearl will return to BAM Fisher this March. We have two Relaxed Performance options for these performances. Relaxed Performances are 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, but all are welcome.

Olive & Pearl, Photo Credit, Christopher Duggan

Olive & Pearl, for ages 2-5, 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.

Audiences At Olive & Pearl. Photo Credit, 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.

Olive & Pearl, Photo Credit, Christopher Duggan

Treehouse Shakers' Olive & Pearl
Where:
BAM Fisher, Hillman Studio
321 Ashland Place
Brooklyn, NY 11217

When: 
General Performances
March 15 & 18 @10:30AM
March 16 & 17 @11:00 AM
Relaxed Performances:
March 15 & 18 @11:45AM

Info & Purchase Tickets
https://oliveandpearl2019.brownpapertickets.com

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.