Sensory Friendly Guide
As the Christmas countdown begins, a newly-hired elf enters the coldest circle of retail hell: Macy’s Santaland. In real life, Crumpet the Elf is an unemployed actor, but now he’s hard at work, greeting children, judging their parents, and giving us a hilarious behind-the-scenes tour of the North Pole. Packed with David Sedaris’s signature wit, The Santaland Diaries is a delightfully irreverent holiday classic for those of us who prefer our eggnog spiked.
The Santaland Diaries set at the beginning of the play.
Crumpet, played by Bear Brummel, with The Santaland Diaries set once the sign and doors in the wall open up.
Macy's Santaland during the holiday season.
Contains some strong language and strobe lighting. Not intended for young audiences.
Crumpet — An unemployed actor who takes a job working in Macy's Santaland as an elf.
Resources
Arrival Guide
What to expect getting to your seat
Sensory Intense Moments
Choices While At The Show
Here are a series of options you have while attending The Santaland Diaries.
Before the play…
— Enter the theatre building
— If needed, pick up your ticket at the Box Office
— Before or when the announcement is made on the speakers, enter the theatre and find your seat
— Sit down in your seat
— Listen to the pre-show announcement speech
During the play…
—Stay seated and watch the play
— Move to the lobby to watch the play from a TV monitor
— Move to the lobby for a quiet space with no monitor and less noise
* For the safety and enjoyment of others, you may not be able to return to your seat if you leave the theatre during the performance.
After the play…
— If you wish, applaud during the curtain call when the actors bow
— Exit through the hallway to the Victor Jory Lobby
— Or stay seated until most of the crowd has exited to the lobby and then leave at your own pace
Additional Information
Actors Theatre encourages all of our audience members to engage with this performance in ways that are most comfortable for you.
Actors Theatre of Louisville is committed to a judgement-free experience for all audience members. While attending this performance, you might see a variety of behaviors, including:
Stimming: a physical or verbal response to over- or under- stimulation that can provide self-regulation or self-expression. This might be repeated hand-wringing, rocking or clapping.
Echolalia: Some patrons may repeat phrases, quotes and speech. Sometimes, this aids comprehension, and sometimes, this can be a calming or relaxing activity.
Tics: Involuntary movements or vocal sounds (please note: tics and stimming are separate behaviors)
Touch Sensitivity: Some patrons may be very uncomfortable with physical touch from others and/or aware of the sensation of materials on their skin.
Alternative Communication: Some patrons might use non-verbal forms of communication in response to over- or under- stimulation. Types of communication can vary and can include: sign language, typing, body language, facial expressions and/or using pictures.
Fidgets: Some patrons may bring small objects with them to a performance – like stress balls, sewing pads or putty. Using these objects can relieve stress, aid relaxation and increase focus.
Sensory and Emotionally-Intense Moments: The ushers at each performance will have a list of sensory intense moments throughout the play. For example, the list may note lights, sound effects or other sudden changes that could be overwhelming to some patrons.
Special thanks: Talleri McRae, The Kentuckiana Autistic Spectrum Alliance (KASA), Autistics United Kentucky, The Kentucky Autism Training Center and Heidi Cooley-Cook, Micah Peace, Bev Harp, Erin Fitzgerald, Cody Clark, Peyton Stockdale and Natalie Ambrosino.