Access Activator Relaxed Performance Training

Persephone Theatre, in collaboration with British Council Canada, is pleased to
offer a Relaxed Performance training program in Saskatoon on September 6, 7
and 8, 2018. In partnership with Tangled Art + Disability, this program is support by the Canada Council for the Arts.

What is a Relaxed Performance?

Relaxed performances were initially designed to make theatre spaces more comfortable and welcoming to audience members with autism spectrum disorders, sensory and communication disorders or learning disabilities. Other audience members who benefit from Relaxed Performances include parents with toddlers, people with Tourette's syndrome, people who experience anxiety or people who are not comfortable with the conventions of a traditional theatre setting.
 

Why should your organization offer Relaxed Performances?
As well as complying with federal and provincial accessibility legislation, expanding your
programming in ways that welcome disability will improve your sustainability as a cultural
space while putting your organization on the map. More importantly, it is imperative that all
audiences be able to experience arts and culture without barriers. Join us in making our arts
and cultural sector in Canada more inclusive!
Deadline to register: August 15, 2018
Venue:
Rehearsal Hall A
Persephone Theatre
100 Spadina Cr. East
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
S7K 0L3, Canada
Other information:
 All days will have a catered lunch
 Attendees need not come to all 3 days
Tickets are $325 per organization (up to 5 members), or $65.12 per individual:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/access-activators-relaxed-performance-training-saskatoon-
tickets-47955672708

The training program will include the following 3 sessions:
1. The Foundation: The Principles of a Relaxed Performance
Thursday, September 6, from 10am – 4:30pm
2. Getting the Word Out: Marketing and Audience Development
Friday, September 7, from 10am – 2pm
3. Opening the Doors: Front of House Staff and Box Office
Saturday, September 8, from 10am – 2pm

1. The Foundation: The Principles of a Relaxed Performance
Thursday, September 6, from 10am - 4:30pm
Duration: 6.5 hours, including lunch and two breaks
The Foundation workshop provides a basic overview of Relaxed Performance, what it is, who it's for, how it started and examples of what it can look like in practice. We encourage all staff to attend including the Artistic Director, General Manager, programming team, box office and Front of House staff, marketing and communications, audience development team, and volunteers.
 Social and medical models of disability
 History and variances of Relaxed Performance model
 Who are Relaxed Performances for?
 Elements of Relaxed Performance
 

2. Getting the Word Out: Marketing and Audience Development
Friday, September 7, from 10am-2pm
Duration: 4 hours
This workshop is geared towards your organization's marketing and communications team and will look at the various ways that your team can engage audiences who may want to take advantage of a Relaxed Performance program.
 Understanding who your audience is
 Selling tickets
 Marketing, language and communication
 Measuring your success
 

3. Opening the Doors: Front of House Staff and Box Office
Saturday, September 8, from 10am-2pm
Duration: 4 hours
The Opening the Doors workshop provides training support to your organization’s front of house staff and volunteers on engaging audience members in a Relaxed environment.
 What to expect at a RP
 Front of House policy and procedure
 Accessible environments
 Communication and behaviours