CapU and BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts to offer new relaxed performance accommodations
News release: New relaxed performance accommodations at CapU (PDF)
NORTH VANCOUVER B.C. November 14, 2023—New for the 2023-2024 theatre season, every play and musical theatre production by Capilano University (CapU)’s theatre department in the School of Performing Arts held at the BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts will include a show with relaxed performance accommodations. The first relaxed performance will be Weasel on November 18.
Relaxed performance accommodations provide a more inclusive theatre environment for anyone with different abilities who may benefit from a more casual setting, including those on the autism spectrum and neurodiverse individuals with sensory, communication or intellectual challenges. The goal is to welcome and support the diverse ways for patrons to experience the arts.
“We hope to make our performances more accessible to more people, including people on the autism spectrum and people for whom the typical theatre experience—darkness in the house or loud noises—may be disturbing enough to prevent them from attending,” said Michelle Deines, academic coordinator and instructor at CapU, and director of the production of Weasel, which opens on November 18. “This is becoming a more and more common practice in the greater theatre community.”
Relaxed performance accommodations will include:
- House lights will remain on throughout the performance.
- Venue doors will remain open, allowing patrons to come and go.
- Audience members can freely move and make noise during the performance.
- A quiet room will be available outside the performance auditorium.
- Stage sounds and effects may be adjusted for reduced sensory stimulation.
- Patrons are encouraged to bring their own sensory support kit, including items like noise-reducing ear covers, fidget toys, (non-gum) chew items or tinted glasses.
Schedule for relaxed performance accommodations:
Weasel
Saturday, November 18 at 2 p.m.
View sensory guide
Clue on Stage
Saturday, November 25 at 2 p.m.
View sensory guide
The Cherry Orchard
Saturday, February 17 at 2 p.m.
View sensory guide
SpongeBob the Musical
Sunday, March 24 at 3 p.m.
View sensory guide
Tickets are available for all performance through the ticket office. Accessible seating must be purchased by calling the ticket office at 604 990 7810.
About Capilano University
Capilano University is a regional university based in North Vancouver, British Columbia, with additional programming serving the Sunshine Coast and the Sea-to-Sky corridor. With industry-leading instructors, small classes and over 100 programs across five distinctive faculties, CapU is a unique place where students are encouraged to make their mark, in and out of the classroom. Capilano University is named after Sa7plek (Chief Joe Capilano), an important leader of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation of the Coast Salish Peoples. We respectfully acknowledge that our campuses and are located on the territories of the LíỈwat, xʷməθkʷəỷəm (Musqueam), shíshálh (Sechelt), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and SəỈílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
For more information, or to schedule interviews, please contact:
Linda Munro
Senior Advisor, Public Affairs
Capilano University
t: 604 220 8937
e: lindamunro@capilanou.ca
www.capilanou.ca
Submitted by: Communications