The first time Kasey brought her daughter Eloise, who’s 6 and has autism, to see a live
show, it didn’t go as planned.
During her sister Willow’s school production of Aladdin Jr., Eloise struggled to sit still in
the dark, quiet auditorium. When Eloise spotted her sister onstage, she ducked her
mom’s arms and bolted, nearly climbing up on the stage before Kasey caught her.
Maybe for a kid like Eloise, theatre was too dark, too loud and the expectations that you
stay seated and keep quiet too much. But then Kasey discovered the sensory-friendly
performances offered at Greasepaint Youth Theatre.
Her family has attended all four — Elf Jr., The Wizard of Oz, Elf Jr. again, and
Madagascar Jr. At these shows, the house lights stay on, the audience is smaller,
sudden loud noises are softened, and attendees are free to talk and move around.
“If you are excited, a screech isn’t going to have the whole theatre turning to look at you.
No one is saying, ‘Oh my gosh, that child,’ Kasey said. “It’s very forgiving.” Kasey can
relax.
For Eloise, the experience is magical. She lights up when the show starts.
“She understands joy in that moment, and she understands other people’s joy on
stage,” Kasey said. She never imagined Eloise would connect in that way.
“There would have been no way for me to know that this was something she would
enjoy until she got the chance to experience it,” Kasey said. Greasepaint gave Eloise
that. A chance.
Eloise’s younger brother Cecil, 4, also has autism. Their older sisters — Brayleigh, 12,
Evie, 10, and Willow, 9 — attend the shows, too, watching their younger siblings’
wonder as closely as what’s happening onstage.
“Now we have a community all my kids feel safe in,” Kasey said.
After each show, the actors meet with audience members outside, giving high fives and
hugs and posing for pictures. Eloise wants to meet them all.
Kasey is grateful Greasepaint provides these shows. “Honestly, it’s just that moment of
being seen,” Kasey said. Too often the world looks away — and kids like Eloise and
Cecil miss out.
“It makes such a difference,” Kasey said. “For me, it is, ‘Oh, it’s possible. We can do
these things. This is just such a normal childhood experience.” And a chance everyone
deserves.
A note from all of us at Greaspaint: Our thanks to Karina Bland – Greasepaint Youth Theatre Board Member and Champion – for sharing this impact moment with us.
Thank you, APS, for your generous support that allows us to provide this invaluable service to our community!