K-State Theatre's 'Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' features relaxed, or sensory-accessible, performance
Friday, Sept. 21, 2018
"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27-29 and 2:30 p.m. Sept. 30 in West Stadium's Purple Masque Theatre by K-State Theatre. The Sept. 30 performance will be a relaxed presentation.
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University's School of Music, Theatre, and Dance will present "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27-29 and 2:30 p.m. Sept. 30 in West Stadium's Purple Masque Theatre. The Sept. 30 performance will be a relaxed presentation, a first for K-State Theatre.
This stage adaptation of Mark Haddon's novel of the same name was written by Simon Stephens. The Olivier and Tony award-winning play tells the story of 15-year-old Christopher Boone, who has an extraordinary brain. Christopher is exceptionally intelligent but finds people and everyday life confusing. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor's dog Wellington, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an earth-shattering discovery and a journey that will change his life forever.
K-State Theatre's production is directed by drama therapy master's student Emily Trube, who has organized a relaxed — or autism-friendly and sensory-accessible — presentation on Sept. 30. Trube said she used the term "relaxed" because she thinks it is more welcoming to a broader audience who may have sensory or social experiences that are not necessarily related to the autism spectrum disorder. Trube's experience in this type of production includes an internship this summer at Bellevue Hospital in New York where she volunteered with the Theatre Development Fund for the organization's autism-friendly presentation of "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical."
As part of the relaxed performance, knowledgeable volunteers will help create a supportive environment for the audience both in the theater and in the lobby by handing out sensory/calming objects, providing a relaxation area in the lobby, and assisting audience members during the performance. During the performance, the pre-recorded sound and music will remain at under 65 decibels, and the lighting will remain at a constant medium range. Audience members will be free to move around and exit the theatre during the performance. Patrons who make reservations for the relaxed performance will receive a theatre and performance guide ahead of time via email.
Tickets are $9 for the general public; $7.75 for seniors, military, faculty and staff; and $5.75 for students and youth. They can be purchased online at k-state.edu/mtd/tickets or by calling 785-236-8638. Tickets may also be purchased one hour prior to the performance at the Purple Masque Theatre. All tickets, regardless of purchase method, include sales tax and are free from convenience fees.
The following Kansas State University students are cast or crew members for "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time":
Cole Rockhold, junior in theatre, Fort Scott, as Christopher Boone; Grant Rogers, senior in theatre, Clyde, as Roger Shears, Duty Sergeant, Mr. Wise and Uncle Terry.
From Greater Kansas City: Sam Neel, junior in theatre, Lenexa, as Ed Boone; and Kaitlyn Burns, sophomore in theatre, as Siobhan, and Christine Pascoe, freshman in mass communications and theatre, as Judy Boone, both from Overland Park.
Will Averna, senior in theatre, Leavenworth, set designer.
From Manhattan: Michael Duncan, junior in theatre, as Police Officer, Mr. Thompson and Man with Socks; Emily Fraser, master's student in drama therapy, as Mrs. Shears, Mrs. Gascoyne and Shopkeeper; and Emma Galitzer, senior in French and theatre, stage manager.
Jacob Edelman-Dolan, junior in theatre, Topeka, as Rev. Peters and Station Police Officer; and Lily Hurt, sophomore in food science and industry, Wichita, lighting designer.
From out of state: Ashley Blair, master's student in drama therapy, Wye Mills, Maryland, as Mrs. Alexander and Punk Girl; Emily Trube, master’s student in drama therapy, Dallas, Texas, as director, costume coordinator and sound designer.
From out of country: Benedicta Akley-Quarshie, master's student in drama therapy, Ghana, as Number 40, Lady on the Street and Information.
