Watertown Children’s Theatre will present Frozen Jr. at the Mosesian Center for the Arts from March 20-22, and there will be a special sensory-friendly/ASL interpreted performance.
The special performance is March 21 at 2 p.m. Frozen Jr. will be on the stage March 20, 7 p.m., March 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and March 22 at 2 p.m.
Watertown Children’s Theatre provided the following information about the special performance:
Watertown Children’s Theatre is working to make their programming even more inclusive. WCT, which has been a part of the Watertown community for over 35 years, has always been committed to programming that is welcoming and inclusive, stating in its mission the goals to be a cultural and educational resource for the community by providing opportunities for all children to appreciate and participate in the performing arts and to provide a range of theatre experiences for children of diverse cultures and different ages.
American Sign Language is part of the history of WCT, and was integrated into performances for many years. When Arlene Velleman, long time WCT ASL instructor, came back to perform for WCT’s 35th Anniversary, she saw the opportunity to bring her skills and those of her students at Waltham High School back into the WCT community. WCT and the entire Mosesian Center for the Arts community were excited to explore the possibility and a new collaboration was born with last winter’s production of Peter Pan Jr. featuring ASL interpretation and a sensory-friendly performance.
This winter’s production of Frozen Jr., featuring a cast of K-6th graders, will also feature one special performance that includes not only American Sign Language, but a number of other features that invite more community members into the experience. This Sensory Friendly “No Hush” Performance of Frozen Jr. will feature American Sign Language shadow interpreting by Velleman’s Waltham High School ASL students. Shadow interpreting means that each speaking actor will have their own signing counterpart. This provides our Deaf/Hard of Hearing audience members the same theater experience as their hearing counterparts.
We will also provide lowered sound levels and house lights at a low glow. This performance fosters an informal, non-judgmental atmosphere where audience members can experience and respond to the performance in their own way. In addition, specially trained ushers and volunteers will be available at this performance to help assist audience members with ASL interpreting and accessibility needs. The Mosesian Center for the Arts is also equipped with a Tele-Coil Loop assistive listening system in the MainStage Theater, an elevator, and wheelchair accessible theaters.
For more information, visit WCT’s website at www.watertownchildrenstheatre.org or call 617-926-ARTS.Tickets are $14 each plus fees, and are available through the link on our website at www.mosesianarts.org.