The first two shows were a space-themed production titled Moon Song, and Storm, which was inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest. The third show was an adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's Gentle Giant.
SCHAT set aside the entire month of April to put on these shows, all of which were sold-out events.
"By presenting these shows, we aim not only to create more possibilities for learning-disabled children to experience truly accessible theater-this project is also aimed at promoting the Bamboozle approach, which is centered on the values of love, encouragement, tolerance and equality in the education for people who have emotional, behavioral or learning disabilities, as well as their parents and teachers," says Liang Xiaoxia, director of SHCAT.
Each show is attended by no more than six children who sit on the stage alongside the actors. The parents, caregivers and teachers are seated in the backstage area, observing the play and learning how the performers communicate with the children. The adults are urged not to provide any instruction during the show so that the children can fully enjoy the performance.
According to Christopher Davies, the founder and artistic director of Bamboozle Theater, an audience cap is put in place to ensure that the children can effectively interact with the actors.
"It is important that we create a space for these children," says Davies. "We want to send the message that they belong here and are important."
During the show, actors engage the children by weaving their names into the songs being performed and encouraging them to become a part of the show. The artists would at times also mimic a child's movements to make him or her feel comfortable and accepted.
The show that Diandian attended was Moon Song, in which a girl named Megan falls asleep and begins to dream. In the dream, she flies to the moon in a rocket and encounters comets, shooting starts and silvery creatures. Diandian, who has a keen interest in vehicles, was so intrigued with the rocket that he seized it the moment he was offered a chance to touch the prop.
