Insights

Lessons from Broadway on Event Accessibility

How co-producing a Broadway show with a cast of autistic performers reshaped the way we make events inclusive. Watch our Experiential Marketing Summit keynote.

Mark Shearon, Founding Partner, Chief Creative, Proscenium · 2024-05-10

Panelists on the Experiential Marketing Summit 2024 stage with events are everything backdrop

We closed out the Experiential Marketing Summit with a keynote close to our hearts: Lessons from Broadway on Event Accessibility. Chief Creative Chuck Santoro and Managing Partner Mark Shearon took the stage with the lead producers of the Broadway musical How to Dance in Ohio, and the show's Collin Hancock closed the session with an unforgettable performance.

Short on time? Start here. This two-minute teaser captures the heart of the keynote.

Watch the film

Want the whole thing? Watch the full conversation, including Collin Hancock's performance.

Watch the film

Proscenium was one of the co-producers of How to Dance in Ohio, a groundbreaking show featuring a cast of young autistic performers that broke barriers in accessibility. We are so proud of this musical which is inspiring conversations about what accessibility means, who it’s for, and how we (as event professionals) can make our events more inclusive for everyone.

According to the CDC, an estimated 5.4 million U.S. adults (2.21%) have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The events industry has made great strides in accommodating physically disabled and hearing-impaired attendees, but neurodivergent audiences often do not feel comfortable in the overly-stimulating environments our events can create.

The good news is, making our events more accessible is easy and can have a big impact on a large segment of society. Some simple takeaways include:

  • Ask open-ended questions

  • Offer a sensory kit

  • Provide cooldown spaces

  • Include detailed accessibility information

We kept the conversation going after EMS by producing a webinar on accessibility in events with Ava X. Rigelhaupt, an autistic creative consultant on How to Dance in Ohio. You can watch it on our Accessibility page.

Accessibility is core to Proscenium's mission, and we are thrilled to be broadening awareness, continuing the dialogue, and helping to make all events more accessible and inclusive.

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