Spectrum Shakespeare
An interactive play for Individuals with Autism 2020-2021
Trailer
The Spectrum Shakespeare is a non-profit theatre company with a mission to make dynamic and engaging works for people on the Autism spectrum. During the first year of the pandemic, this company produced an interactive online adaption of Macbeth.
This show contained eight actors playing roles from the plot, guiding an autistic participant through Macbeth's world. The entire production took place on Zoom and was accessible to any participant across the country.
Our company incorporated the Hunter Heartbeat Method, conceptualized by Kelly Hunter of Flute Theatre. This method uses the heartbeat to connect the body to the naturally occurring rhythm in iambic pentameter. The purpose of the Hunter Heartbeat Method is to share a play, explore a range of emotional responses, and to connect to our surroundings. Because of this experience, our participants were able to engage with theatre and community safely throughout the Pandemic.
Process
Social Story
A social story is a tool for individuals with autism that lays out the order of events an individual may experience. For example, say you are ordering coffee. The social story may include the following:
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1. I enter the coffee shop
2. I decide what I want to order
3. I wait in line
4. The barista greets me by saying, "Hello how are you today?"
5. I respond with how I am feeling; "I'm good. How are you?"
6. The barista is ready to take my order. I tell them my order.
7. I pay for my order. I thank the barista.
8. I wait for my order.
9. I receive my oder.
10. I can now stay in the coffee shop or I can leave.
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For the purposes of our Production Macbeth I created social stories to introduced participants to the actors and walk them through the plot of the show. On each slide is a graphic representing the emotion associated with each scene. This is so that the participants can recognize the emotions in the play as well as how they can respond to these emotions.
Images
Credits
Directed by Ben Raanan and Sara Perry
Ensemble: Gilly Caulo, Jesi Mullins, Julie Gester, Liv Shine, Adelaide Leonard, Simone Brazzini, Amanda Blanco, and Allison Sheehan.
Special Thanks to Kelly Hunter and Flute Theatre