Going to the Theatre to See The Little Mermaid!

Going to the Theatre to See The Little Mermaid! A Social Narrative by Autism Friendly Spaces, INC © 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc. I am going t...
4 downloads 1 Views 768KB Size
Going to the Theatre to See The Little Mermaid!

A Social Narrative by Autism Friendly Spaces, INC

© 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

I am going to Paper Mill Playhouse to see The Little Mermaid!

You may insert a picture of your child and people coming to the theater with you.

Going to the theater can be so much fun!

© 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

Seeing a show at the theatre is a little like watching a movie or a program on TV. But in a show, the people perform right there on the stage.

The people on stage are called actors. The Little Mermaid is a special kind of show called a musical. The actors will tell a story by talking, singing, dancing! © 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

When we get to the theatre, we will see big signs that say: “Paper Mill Playhouse” and “The Little Mermaid ”

Close to the entrance you may find a fish pond and a beautiful brook.

© 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

We may need to wait in a line before we can go inside the theatre and find our seats.

When we are waiting, I will stay with my family and try to wait calmly.

© 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

Once we are inside the building, we will show our tickets to the tickettaker who will scan our tickets and tell us where to go next. We will go into the main lobby area where we will see many other families who are coming to see the show!

© 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

There are two bathrooms in the lobby areas of the theatre, one upstairs and one downstairs. If I need to, I can ask to use the bathroom before we go to our seats. Restroom in Main Lobby

Restroom on Mezzanine Level

There is a water fountain near the bathrooms. If I need a drink of water, I can ask for one.

© 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

Next, we will go inside the theatre. The theatre is very big, and has a lot of seats! Mezzanine

Orchestra

Our seats will be in the Orchestra or upstairs in the Mezzanine. Once we go inside the theatre, we will show our tickets to an usher who will help us find our seats. © 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

The numbers on the tickets tell us where we have to sit. It is not a choice.

I will have a seat in the theatre and try to wait calmly for the show to start.

I can ask the usher for a booster seat if I need one. © 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

While I am waiting: I can talk to my family. I can hold my mom or dad’s hand or use a fidget tool. I can take a short break in the quiet area or activity center.

© 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

There are lots of seats and the theater is usually crowded. Sometimes it can get very noisy before the show begins.

If it gets too loud: I can put my hands over my ears or wear earplugs. I can hold my mom or dad’s hand or use a fidget tool to try to calm myself. I can go take a short break in the quiet area. © 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

When it is time for the show to start, the theatre will get darker and everyone will get quiet. During the show I will try to remember to sit quietly and calmly so that everyone can enjoy the show!

When the show starts, I will hear the orchestra start to play music. If it gets too loud, I can cover my ears, use earplugs or wear headphones.

© 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

The actors will be wearing a lot of make-up and will be dressed in different costumes like on Halloween.

© 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

If I get nervous or feel afraid, I can close my eyes, use a fidget tool, or take a break in the quiet area.

I will try to remember that even though the singing can be loud and some of the make-up and costumes may look scary, none of this can hurt me.

© 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

After each song, some people will clap to show the actors that they liked their song. If I want to, I can also clap.

If the clapping gets too loud, I can remember to: cover my ears, use earplugs or wear headphones.

© 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

In the middle of the show, we will have a break called an Intermission. During the break, many people will stand up and go into the lobby areas to get a drink, buy a snack, or to use the restroom.

If I want to, I can ask for a snack or a drink. I can also ask to use the bathroom. © 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

After the break, everyone will come back and sit down in their seats again. The theatre will get darker and quieter again just like at the beginning of the show.

The actors will return to the stage to finish telling the story of The Little Mermaid.

© 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

There will be a lot more singing and dancing! At the end of the show, all of the actors will come out on stage. This is called a curtain call. Many people will clap a lot so the actors know how much they liked the show.

© 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

After the show is finished I will leave the theater with my family. Sometimes we may have to wait before we leave the theater, because it gets very crowded as everyone leaves the theatre. While I am waiting: I can talk to my family. I can hold my mom or dad’s hand or use fidget tools.

© 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

Lead support for Paper Mill Playhouse Access programs is provided by: MetLife Foundation National Endowment for the Arts Additional generous support is provided by C.R. Bard Foundation, Inc., The Merck Company Foundation, and Fund for the New Jersey Blind. This program is made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, A Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Paper Mill Playhouse is a not-for-profit arts organization.

© 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.

Production photos provided by Paper Mill Playhouse

© 2013 Autism Friendly Spaces, Inc.