Spectrum Shakespeare is a Chicago based theatre company dedicated to creating specialized Shakespeare productions for autistic individuals. Led by co-Artistic Directors Ben Raanan and Sara Perry, we focus on creating artistically rigorous work for those in need.
ABOUT OUR WORK
We use the Hunter Heartbeat, a scientifically proven theatrical method from London based company Flute Theatre. This method utilizes the rhythm of the heartbeat and the characters from Shakespeare's plays to engage children with autism and work on social, communication, and behavioral skills. In essence, we help the child explore what it means to live sensorially in our world.
Our company takes a Shakespearian play and creates a series of sensory drama games and exercises around different key moments in the play. Each of the games explores a different key social element of living in the world with autism. After the games are created, we thread them together with text from the play to tell the full experience of the story. The virtual show is then performed interactively through Zoom for a single audience member. In essence, there are 8 non-disabled actors performing for and with a single individual with autism. Because of this individuality of performance, it allows us to adapt the show specifically to each individual to fit their needs.
Check out the link below to learn more about The Hunter Heartbeat and its effectiveness working with people who have autism. https://vimeo.com/410624396
OUR NEXT PROJECT
Earlier this year, we presented our inaugural production, an adapted version of Macbeth done completely virtually through Zoom. The show ran for around 40 performances during the month of October and November. The production was INCREDIBLY well received by the individuals and their families and we realized that this production wasn't only wanted, it was vital for the autistic community during this period of isolation and anxiety. All of us have been shaken to our core with Covid19 lockdown, but none so much as the autistic community who relies on schedule and routine to survive their day to day life. With their routines dismantled and being away from school and social engagement, we found that this show gave our participants a great source of calming and stability.
Because of this, we have decided to remount our virtual production from February to March. This will allow us to reach an additional 40-50 participants who have autism and are facing a future that is incredibly uncertain. We also plan to develop new games for new plays to then be presented to our audience. With no certain end in sight for Covid 19, we see no end to the need for this vital and important work.
At SpectrumShakes, we believe that our participants with autism deserve first rate actors who have worked across Chicago. We also believe that the work we are doing is so rigorous that those actors deserve proper compensation for the energy they put into this work. Any amount of money donated will go directly back into the production, whether that be paying for sets/costumes or compensating our actors for their artistic prowess.
