Sensory Advisory Guide for

Footloose: Youth Edition

 

Run-time:

1 hour 15 minutes

 

Plot Synopsis:

When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn't prepared for are the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, determined to exercise the control over the town's youth that he cannot command in his own home. When the reverend's rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren's reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges is of a father longing for the son he lost and of a young man aching for the father who walked out on him.

 

General Sensory Notes:

• Footloose: Youth Edition has been designed by our production team to be a sensory friendly show.

• People with sensory sensitivities should know that the sound effects and music might be suddenly loud at various points throughout the show.

• The stage can be very bright, and sometimes it is possible that shiny stage elements will reflect light into the audience. This show has a number of shiny costumes that reflect the light.

• The show will include some sound effects such as a school bell and a train.

• When the audience is enjoying the show, there will likely be loud applause. Typically, this will take place after songs and scenes, but it may also happen sporadically throughout the show.

• If you’re sitting in the front row, performers will be very close to you.

 

If you are particularly sensitive to lights and/or sounds, we recommend bringing headphones and/or sunglasses.

 

Sensory Guide:

Scene 2

👂At the very end of Scene 2 there is a loud, long school bell.

Scene 3

👂At the end of the conversation between Ren, Willard, and Principal Clark, the bell rings again.

Scene 4

👂Immediately after “Holding Out for a Hero” there is a car screeching.

Scene 5

👂As Ren walks Ariel home, the train gets louder and louder. Then, Ariel will yell loudly while the train goes by.

👁️While Ariel yells at the train a couple lights flash.

👂The train will go by again, and this time Ren will yell loudly as it goes by.

👁️While Ren yells at the train a couple lights flash.

Scene 7

👂Coach has a whistle that she blows a couple times in the scene.

👂During the scene Heaven Help Me the teenagers yell the words “I’m Free” a lot.

Scene 8

👁️String lights will lower for this scene to create the Bar-B-Que Dance Hall.

Scene 10

👂The train gets louder and then Ariel and Ren yell together.

👁️While they yell at the train a couple lights flash.

Scene 11

👂Eleanor will bang the gavel on the podium a couple times throughout the scene and yell “order!”

Scene 14

👁️The lights flash softly during the dance.