Due to conflicts with rescheduling the symposium, this session will not be available at the 2019 Inclusive Arts Education Symposium

Seesaw Theatre Explores Outer Space: Applications of Multi-Sensory Drama for those with Developmental Differences

​Seesaw Theatre is an undergraduate student organization at Northwestern University that produces original, multi-sensory theatre for those on the autism spectrum and with other developmental differences. Our work reaches each audience member one-on-one, exploring all six senses (which we define as taste, sight, touch, smell, sound, and our kinesthetic sense). In this interactive workshop, participants will be lead through one of our classic sensory lesson plans that we take into Chicagoland schools: Outer Space. We will then highlight some of the key elements of our workshops, how we devise them from the ground up, and discuss the extensions of sensory drama for both inclusive theatres and classrooms.
10:50 AM
Room 212
Session material: Sensory Lesson Plan: Outer Space
Liza Alrutz is a Northwestern theatre student from Memphis, Tennessee with a focus in theatre management and Theatre for Young Audiences. Most recently Liza served as the assistant production manager on YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN! with Imagine U after spending the summer interning at Children’s Theatre Company in Memphis.  Other highlights include stage managing THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE (Imagine U) and ANON(YMOUS) (Purple Crayon Players) and production managing Seesaw Theatre’s UNDER THE BIG TOP in the spring of 2017. After graduating June 2019, Liza hopes to combine her love of education and engagement with her management skills.
Noah Kudman is a junior at Northwestern University studying Theatre and Environmental Science. He is currently stage managing. Specializing in theatre management, he is currently stage managing Jewish Theatre Ensembe's production of Into the Woods. Additionally, Noah is a proud member of Lipstick Theatre, Seesaw Theatre, Northwestern University Dance Marathon Productions Committee, and is the co-props designer for the 77th Annual Dolphin Show HELLO DOLLY.
Christina Layton is a senior at Northwestern University studying Theatre on the pre-medical track, and is currently serving as the Executive Director for Seesaw Theatre. She has spent the past two summers working as a research assistant for Mount Sinai's Seaver Center for Autism Research in New York City and is looking forward to returning to the city to pursue her love(s) of art and science post-graduation in June. Outside of Seesaw and research, Christina has a passion for performance. Select Northwestern credits include: Masha in FAIRYTALE LIVES OF RUSSIAN GIRLS, Sheila in A CHORUS LINE, and Dolly Levi in the 77th Annual Dolphin Show HELLO DOLLY.
​Farrah Sklar is a Junior at Northwestern University studying Theatre with a module in Theatre for Young Audiences. She is a teaching artist with and Outreach Director for Seesaw Theatre, and a member of Team Education on Purple Crayon Players, an organization that creates theatre for young people. In addition to arts administration, she enjoys acting and directing. Most recently, she directed a production of Earthquake Chica, and is directing an upcoming staged reading of a new play, Trigueño. She feels so lucky to be presenting at this conference with Seesaw, and is always excited to learn more about making art accessible!
Olivia Zapater-Charrette is a junior at Northwestern University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Psychology. She is the Internal Education Director for Seesaw Theatre. Last fall, she coordinated Seesaw's third annual Inclusive Theatre Festival. Previously, she was the producer for the 2018 winter event, Snow Day, and the stage manager for the 2017 spring mainstage, Under the Big Top. Outside of Seesaw, Olivia has a passion for stage management. She was the stage management intern for Goodman Theatre’s production of We’re Only Alive For A Short Amount of Time, and will be returning to work on A Winter’s Tale in March.