Our Stories

In January, your Fox Cities Performing Arts Center welcomed Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s Billy Goats Gruff & Other Tales, a sensory-inclusive experience for the whole family. Ahead of the performance, we had the opportunity to speak with Raquel, one of the puppeteers, about the importance of sensory-inclusivity and how it is incorporated into the production. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

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According to its mission, Mermaid Theater has for over 50 years encouraged storytelling and a love of reading through its performances – how do you feel sensory-inclusive efforts support that mission?

The sensory-inclusive efforts really encourage everybody to get into reading, storytelling and performing arts. So, oftentimes you’ll come to a theater and it can be loud, it can be scary, it’s dark, right? And you’re not sure what to expect.

So, when we have sensory-inclusive performances, we don’t take the lights all the way down, so the house lights stay up a little bit so that you can see the people around you. And also the audio is lowered a little bit so that it’s not so loud.

What are some other efforts you make as a performer to show that all are welcome?

The other thing that we do in our shows is we incorporate very gentle narration. So there’s no big bangs, there’s no big loud crashes, no big screaming. The narration is very gentle, and the music is very soft as well.

And we come out at the beginning of the show and we say hello to everybody and we welcome them, and we also tell them what they’re going to see. And then we say, “This is what’s going to happen, and then next this is what’s going to happen, and we’re going to do it, and this is who we are, and the next time you see us, we’re going to be out doing the play.”

So, we like to prepare people for that. It just kind of lets them feel like they see us, we’re friends with them now, and everything is going to be okay.

What would you say is the overall goal of these sensory-inclusive efforts?

Our goal is to make sure that the arts are accessible to every type of learner and every type of sensory need. By removing the “surprise” element that can be overwhelming, we’re inviting children and families to focus on the magic of the story rather than the stress of the environment. Whether it’s our production of Billy Goats Gruff or any of our other stories, we want the theater to be a place where everyone feels they belong and everyone can participate in their own way.

The Center also provides KultureCity Sensory Bags with things like fidgets and noise-canceling headphones at the front of the house. This allows families to take control of their own sensory experience. If a particular scene feels a bit too intense, they have the tools right there to manage it.

As a performer, how do you feel like sensory-inclusive initiatives enhance the show?

Our actors are specifically trained for these shows. They understand that a vocalization from the audience isn’t an interruption; it’s a form of engagement. If someone shouts out in excitement or needs to move, the actors stay in character but maintain a welcoming, calm energy that keeps the story moving without making anyone feel “called out.”

Ultimately, the goal is to bridge the gap between the community and the arts. Many families have told us they stopped going to the theater because they were afraid of being judged or asked to leave. By creating this space, we’re telling them: “You belong here.”

Whether it’s our production of Billy Goats Gruff or another sensory-inclusive show, these stories are for everyone. When we lower those barriers, we see a level of joy and connection that is truly unique to sensory-friendly theater. It’s about more than just a play; it’s about making sure that the magic of live performance is a right, not a privilege, for every child and every family.

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At your Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, we strive to be a multicultural gathering place where all feel welcome to experience the live performing arts, and sensory-inclusive programming is just one of these efforts. Learn more about accessibility services at the Center below.