The Beauty of Inclusion: The National Ballet’s First Mainstage Relaxed Performance Spotted in the lobby of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts: front of house staff trying hard not to touch service dogs as they entered the theatre, very young dancers imitating the poses of the professional dancers on decorative posters, ushers giving enthusiastic descriptions of the look and layout of the auditorium for ticket holders and lots of excited smiles. This was March 22, 2022, when The National Ballet of Canada welcomed 700 audience members to the Four Seasons Centre for the company’s first mainstage Relaxed Performance. It was a joyful afternoon for individuals and families who may find the traditional ballet-going experience inaccessible or limiting. Relaxed Performances are a way for arts organizations to welcome children and adults who are Neurodiverse, members of the d/Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Vision Impaired and Disability communities and any audience members who may benefit from a more casual ballet experience, including caregivers with young children. “We are one of the first
companies in Canada to offer a mainstage Relaxed Performance of a full-scale ballet production, and for this we were simultaneously proud and humbled,” says Lisa Robinson Senior Manager, Education and Community Engagement. A few elements were provided to create an atmosphere where attendees felt celebrated and cared for, such as Audio Description devices, open seats at the back of the auditorium and a quiet room for guests to relax in if they felt overstimulated. To prepare guests for their visit to the theatre, visual and video guides were created with the help of Relaxed Performance consultant Rachel Marks who advised the National Ballet and Four Seasons Centre staff for this initiative. Prior to the performance, Lisa greeted audience members from the stage where she was joined by American Sign Language-English Interpreter Marcia Aldophe, to let the audience know that they were free to respond to what they saw in the ballet. Lisa then introduced The
Lilac Fairy in her sparkling gown (Principal Character Artist Stephanie Hutchison) to delighted “oohs” that rippled through auditorium. Stephanie performed a brief and animated synopsis of Acts I and II of The Sleeping Beauty and provided hints of what to expect in Act III. She also introduced the audience to Princess Aurora and Prince Florimund (First Soloist Jeannine Haller in her debut as Princess Aurora and Principal Dancer Naoya Ebe), who came out to wave hello. Act III was unchanged for the Relaxed Performance, however adjustments were made to the environmental elements such as lowered sound levels, dimmed house lights and an invitation to move in and out of the space as needed. Joy attended the performance with her two sons who are on the Autism spectrum. She said, "To be able to see a ballet in an accessible format where you can move about, make noise and appreciate the ballet in your own way is a magical
Stephanie Hutchison, Lisa Robinson and Marcia Adolphe. Photo by Johan Hallberg Campbell. 14
The National Ballet of Canada
Preview Spring 2022
