IICF helps bring adapted theatre to London youth with special needs
This is part two of a five-part, weekly series for the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation's Month of Giving.
The theater, or theatre as we say in the U.K., can have many enriching qualities. In acting out or experiencing imaginary stories, individuals can build confidence as well as acquire important social skills and knowledge to support their studies and future careers. Go Live Theatre Projects, a theater charity based in London, uses the power of theatre to help children and young people grow and thrive. We tap into theater and drama to give London’s most vulnerable and marginalized children and young people inspiring experiences, to help them develop essential skills, and to help them feel happy and confident about their futures.
Each year, Go Live Theatre Projects holds a relaxed performance of a theater production in London. A relaxed performance is one that has been specially adapted to be suitable for audience members who have Autism and other sensory needs. Go Live Theatre Projects works with the team at the selected theater to make technical adjustments to the show, such as lowering levels of lighting and sound and allowing for a ‘no rules’ atmosphere so the audience can show their enthusiasm and express themselves freely by clapping, cheering and dancing.
According to the British Medical Association, one in every 100 children has an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis in the U.K. Similarly, this number is on the rise. A 2021 study found a 787% increase in the number of diagnoses in the U.K. between 1998 and 2018. While some of this increase can be attributed to increased awareness and a better understanding of the condition, as more children and young people continue to be excluded from cultural experiences, such as attending a theater performance.
Go Live Theatre Projects’ relaxed performances provide children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities the opportunity to experience social outings that they may not get to otherwise. In addition to providing sensory support during relaxed performances, Go Live Theatre Projects works to lower the financial barrier by offering heavily subsidized tickets to our specialist relaxed performances.
One audience member shared, “I felt free to be myself and express myself through laughter and movement at this performance because everyone was free to be themselves. It was an amazingly liberating experience and I plan to see more relaxed shows. I loved it. Thank you.”
This year, insurance professionals from across London came together through the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) to support Go Live Theatre Projects’ relaxed performance of Sister Act the Musical at Dominion Theatre in Central London. On July 2, volunteers with IICF helped Go Live Theatre Projects’ team welcome the 415 families that attended the performance at the front of the house. Volunteers greeted families and children as they arrived, answered questions for guests and helped them find their seats. Volunteers also supported families in break-out spaces around the theater to allow guests to take breaks from the show, with fun, calming activities such as drawing and coloring.
Without the support of our wonderful volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to give every family the care, compassion and support they need to have an unforgettable day at the theater. We are incredibly grateful to the volunteers from IICF who gave their time.
This month as IICF enters its Month of Giving, an annual event dedicated to celebrating volunteering and giving back, join us to provide vulnerable and marginalized children and young people with the opportunity to experience the power and joy of the theater. To learn more about Go Live Theatre Projects, visit: https://golivetheatre.org.uk/.
Robyn Wilson serves as development manager at Go Live Theatre Projects.