Relaxed Environment

Many people may choose to attend a Relaxed Environment, either as an access requirement or because they like the inclusive environment.

Relaxed Environment Performances take a laid-back approach to noises or movement coming from the audience. They give everyone permission to relax and respond naturally. Many people feel that Relaxed Performances offer a more dynamic theatrical experience, which benefits everyone.

If you identify as being autistic, neurodivergent, disabled, or you don’t feel that traditional theatre environment meets your access needs, you may choose to go to Relaxed Environment and/or Sensory Sensitive Performance. This helps to make the environment less overwhelming.

Relaxed Environments don’t need to be complicated. The responsibility for making a show ‘relaxed’ is shared by the audience, the venue and the performers. The elements that are included are:

• A clear explanation for all audience members about what a Relaxed Environment is when you book your tickets
• Pre-show information describing what to expect from the show
• Staff who take an inclusive approach from start to finish
• An introduction at the start of the show to remind the audience that it’s a Relaxed Environment and giving anyone who needs to move or be noisy the freedom to do so
• For Sensory Sensitive: consideration given to sound and lighting levels, taking into account sensory sensitivities (eg. Any jarring light effects will be lessened or removed while any strobe-light effects will be removed from the show entirely)
• A quiet space outside the auditorium where people can go during the show if they need to
• The ability to come and go from the theatre as needed

Most of the time we can naturally edit out background noise, particularly if we know why it is happening. If you are deeply engaged in a performance, experience tells us that you will not get distracted. Many of those who attended a Relaxed Environment Performance have often said that the relaxed atmosphere has enhanced their experience. .

Yes, there is accessible seating. If you require accessible seating, please make a note when booking your tickets online or contact the Box Office at 416-504-7529 or info@passemuraille.on.ca.

A Relaxed Environment and Sensory Sensitive performance is designed for those who have access needs that a typical theatre environment does not meet. For example, for autistic people, the sensory stimulation may be too overwhelming, so that is why sensorial effects may be slowed down or kept to a minimum. In a relaxed atmosphere, there should be no pressure to “act” a certain way. Audiences are rather welcomed and encouraged to come into the space as they are.

In the relaxed environment, there is no pressure to “act” a certain way, rather audiences are welcomed into the space as their whole self.

A visual story is a document that is used to prepare an audience for the performance and helps with making the experience of attending the theatre less overwhelming. Elements included in a Visual Story are: 

• A synopsis of the show 
• Pre-Show Warnings (Content, Environment, and Sensory)
• Accessible Route/Directions to the Theatre 
• Photos of the Theatre and Lobby 
• Photos of Characters/Cast
• And perhaps more, for example: Definitions, background on history or culture described in a play. 

Disabilities are not always visible, so we will never know if a disabled person is not in attendance during our Relaxed Environment (RE) or Sensory Sensitive (SS) Performances. We should and can never assume that someone is non-disabled based on their appearance – this is actually a form of ableism.

However, if it were the case that a disabled person did not show up to a RE or SS performance, this just educated non-disabled audience members about how accessibility can be provided to disabled people. Who knows, you may know someone who would love attending a show in this type of environment!