CSz Richmond, a staple of the Richmond comedy community located in the West End, is excited to announce a new program designed to increase accessibility for people with autism or other sensory needs.
“We want the theater to be open to everyone,” shares CSz Access Coordinator Rachel Garmon. “However, we know that there are certain aspects of a Friday or Saturday evening ComedySportz match that may be challenging for some individuals.” Utilizing the expertise from other Major League ComedySportz players who either work with individuals with developmental disabilities or have their own children on the autism spectrum, Garmon and her team are making specific adaptations to the match and to the theater itself that will help with those sensory differences.
The first sensory friendly performance will feature raised lights, wider spaces between seats, and an opportunity for theater patrons to move about the space during the performance. There will also be a social story available for families who purchase a ticket and volunteers on hand to help provide accommodations. “To accommodate these families, we want to keep the theater less crowded and provide a flexible refund policy. We are able to do this thanks to the generosity of donors to Yes Balloon, the nonprofit that currently manages and operates ComedySportz® Richmond,” says Dave Gau, CSz Richmond’s Artistic Director and President of the Yes Balloon Board of Directors.
ComedySportz® matches are structured like a sporting event, with teams of improvisers performing scenes and playing games based on audience suggestions. A referee hosts the event and facilitates the audience interaction. In addition to the regular ComedySportz® matches, the CSz Richmond Theater produces seasonal events such as their Spooktacular Halloween Show and Improv Festivus, a 3-day comedy festival featuring improv troupes from across the country. They also host classes and leagues for children and adults. The CSz Richmond Theater is proud to serve the greater Richmond community through collaboration, inspiration, gratitude, and fun.
The first sensory friendly performance will be Saturday, November 11, 2017 at 3 p.m. It will be a one hour presentation with no intermission. Tickets are $10 per person. For more information on shows and events, including a complete FAQ about the sensory friendly performance, go to http://www.cszrichmond.com