Mentally Impaired Audience Members- Page 2
Mentally Impaired Audience Members
#25re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 7:34pm
"It isn't discriminating to tell a person who is making noise to leave"
Um, I didn't say that. I said it is discriminatory to refuse to sell them tickets. As for your statement, we are not talking about a patron who happens to be making noise. You CAN ask them to leave. We happen to be talking about a mentally ill patron who cannot help it.
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES
#26re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 7:36pmI think this is a tough situation, and I wouldn't be surprised if many families with mentally challenged or impaired family members do not bring them due to possible situations like this. I don't think there can be any correct way to deal with this, and I am sure that it will be resolved differently for each specific situation.
So, that was the Drowsy Chaperone. Oh, I love it so much. I know it's not a perfect show...but it does what a musical is supposed to do. It takes you to another world, and it gives you a little tune to carry with you in your head for when you're feeling blue. Ya know?
#27re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 7:36pmin this case though I am pretty sure it would be discriminatory to ask the patron to leave, seeing as how they cannot help it.
Rant, Wickud, Rant, Wickud, Rant! We're not gonna pay Rant! 'Cause everythink is Wickud!
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
#28re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 7:37pm
"there is a way to predict what their response will be. The "Behaviors" of these people are fairly set. If that makes any sense"
No it doesn't.
"THESE PEOPLE?" wow.
And please furnish the way to predict the behavior and what the response will be to the many forms of mental illness. Where do you get your information?
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES
Updated On: 2/6/08 at 07:37 PM
#29re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 7:38pmIts a very tough call and working FOH i understand what a difficult decision it is for the team to make, its not an easy one but like i say we dont ask them to leave we just try to accommodate everyone the best we can
Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna
#30re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 7:39pmI work with the developmentally disabled for a living. Most of their behaviors are fairly set. Like if there is a loud sound that scares/startles them they will usually react in a specific way.
Rant, Wickud, Rant, Wickud, Rant! We're not gonna pay Rant! 'Cause everythink is Wickud!
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
jordangirl
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/1/06
#31re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 7:40pmLake ~ No, their behaviors are not "set". Unless they live in a theatre and/or are exposed to theatrical events a lot, that is likely a totally new situation. People with developmental delays often have difficulty generalizing ~ taking their behavior from one setting and applying it to another. Skills have to be taught in many different settings for generalization to have a chance at taking place. Unless the person has been to a theatre many times, the odds that they will exhibit their "typical" behaviors are very slim. Trust me ~ I teach special education and even the most well-behaved child can react in any possible way when they're in a non-typical situation.
Experience live theater. Experience paintings. Experience books. Live, look and listen like artists! ~ imaginethis
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
#32re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 7:40pmand using the term "These people" is not something to get shocked about.
Rant, Wickud, Rant, Wickud, Rant! We're not gonna pay Rant! 'Cause everythink is Wickud!
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
#33re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 7:40pmThank you, song and dance man.
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES
#34re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 7:43pm
"and using the term "These people" is not something to get shocked about."
It's not shocking.
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES
#35re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 7:44pmjordangirl, I have always seen my clients behavior as fairly consistent. And I was referring to loud noises in the theatre, not the all around experience of going to a musical/play.
Rant, Wickud, Rant, Wickud, Rant! We're not gonna pay Rant! 'Cause everythink is Wickud!
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
#36re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 7:45pmthen why did you feel it was necessary to say "wow" afterwards?
Rant, Wickud, Rant, Wickud, Rant! We're not gonna pay Rant! 'Cause everythink is Wickud!
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
#37re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 7:49pmAnd yes, they will not always act the same way, but more often than not they will be very similar.
Rant, Wickud, Rant, Wickud, Rant! We're not gonna pay Rant! 'Cause everythink is Wickud!
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
#38re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 7:51pm
Their behavior is not consistent if they are in a new surrounding as so many of their chaperones tell us.
The noise, Lights, people around them etc all affect their reactions which is normally excitement.
Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#39re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 7:52pm
I do understand where you come from, lake. Especially if you work with these people, you obviously have much more knowledge and understanding of their behaviour.
Sadly, the theater is a place where audience members are expected to behave in a certain manner throughout a show, and not designed with understanding for individuals with specific needs. Maybe if our society progresses one day we'll have specific seating that is sound proof for them. Right now, I'm afraid this is the sad rfeality.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#40re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 7:54pm
"Its a very tough call and working FOH i understand what a difficult decision it is for the team to make"
Yes, I managed a theater for a few years, and have had to deal with situations such as we're discussing.
Plus, I have a family member who is severely mentally ill. I lived it from both sides.
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES
#41re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 7:57pm
"then why did you feel it was necessary to say "wow" afterwards?"
That was my reaction to "these people". I'm sure you've heard that type of reaction before.
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES
jordangirl
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/1/06
#42re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 8:01pm
And yes, they will not always act the same way, but more often than not they will be very similar.
Well, hang out in District 75 schools in NYC and you will learn quickly that no, not everyone is as well-behaved and consistent as privately seen clients tend to be. The slightest change from routine and some (not all but some) will not react in a predictable way.
Experience live theater. Experience paintings. Experience books. Live, look and listen like artists! ~ imaginethis
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
#43re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 8:03pm
"Sadly, the theater is a place where audience members are expected to behave in a certain manner throughout a show, and not designed with understanding for individuals with specific needs. Maybe if our society progresses one day we'll have specific seating that is sound proof for them. Right now, I'm afraid this is the sad rfeality."
But I'm not sure what you're getting at. Are you suggesting that there be a separate area, or room for the mentally ill to sit? I think the idea is not to segregate.
I think what this comes down to is tolerance. If you're lucky enough not to be afflicted with a dibilitating condition, be happy that you are and if someone less fortunate than you is sitting near you and you can't deal with the inconvenience (whatever the price you paid for your ticket), then go to the house staff and see what can be done. That's what I think.
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES
#44re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 8:04pmYour spot on Jane2
Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna
bethyd
Chorus Member Joined: 11/4/06
#45re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 8:05pm
Yeah, this is a very tough situation. I've witnessed it firsthand too, and it creates awkwardness for everyone.
It was at Idina Menzel's Martha's Vineyard show a couple summers ago. It was a concert situation, and there was an adult man with some sort of mental impairment (? not sure of the PC term). He and his friend were seated at the very front, against the stage, but off to the side.
They carried on a VERY loud conversation through the whole show. Blurting out inappropriate things. "Yeah, Jonathan Larson. He died of AIDS!" and he'd repeat it over and over, almost like he had autism.
Obviously he was somewhat of a fan, so he had every right to be there. But it was also very distracting to the audience.
Idina herself had to address the situation several times, asking them to be quiet. But I don't believe, due to the lighting, and darkness of the crowd that she could really tell what the situation was, that this man actually had a condition, and was not just a rude fan.
You could tell it was bothering her, and she couldn't really put all her focus on the show. It was just completely 100% awkward.
But there wasn't really a "right" thing to do. Relocating the men probably would've created even MORE of a disturbance. And he has every right to attend whatever show he would like to.
So basically, yeah, it was just awkward.
#46re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 8:09pm
I am not saying that they are well behaved in any way. I don't know if the way I am saying this is causing some to misinterpret what I am trying to say. So lets try again.
When I am at work I know not to mention some things to certain clients, to not talk to certain clients in certain ways, and that I need to approach certain clients in certain ways, otherwise there is the likelihood that they will get agitated.
Rant, Wickud, Rant, Wickud, Rant! We're not gonna pay Rant! 'Cause everythink is Wickud!
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
#47re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 8:10pm
"then why did you feel it was necessary to say "wow" afterwards?"
That was my reaction to "these people". I'm sure you've heard that type of reaction before.
I really don't think "these people" is insulting: you could be talking about performers in, say, The Lion King and refer to them as "these people". You could be talking about me and my family members and what we're having for dinner and say, "These people tend to have chicken". I also especially don't think lakezurich meant that in any negative sense. Just my 2 cents.
Updated On: 2/6/08 at 08:10 PM
jordangirl
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/1/06
#48re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 8:11pmYeah, there are definitely triggers. But if the theatre has not been experienced before, there are so many unknowns it's next to impossible to predict behavior.
Experience live theater. Experience paintings. Experience books. Live, look and listen like artists! ~ imaginethis
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
#49re: Mentally Impaired Audience Members
Posted: 2/6/08 at 8:12pmI definitely agree I previously was just taking "loud noises" as an example.
Rant, Wickud, Rant, Wickud, Rant! We're not gonna pay Rant! 'Cause everythink is Wickud!
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
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