Ten-year-old Holland Hansen, a student in the Kansas City Ballet’s Adaptive Dance program, attended her first sensory-friendly performance of The Nutcracker at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts last year. Holland, who has genetic disorders and is on the autism spectrum, was captivated by the experience.
Her mother, Paige, recalls it vividly. “I was nervous because she can be loud, but she was mesmerized the entire time and even disappointed when it ended,” Paige shares.
In this welcoming setting where the house lights stay up and families sit where it is best for them, Holland and her mother were able to fully enjoy the show – without worry.
A Welcoming Space for All
Kansas City Ballet’s annual sensory-friendly performance of The Nutcracker provides a safe space for neurodivergent children, families, and adults, for whom loud noises, bright lights and crowded spaces may create barriers to attending a live performance.
This year, the Ballet also performed a sensory-friendly version of ALICE (in wonderland), doubling its commitment to providing inclusive programming.
For many families, these performances are a rare opportunity to enjoy a live ballet performance together in a place where they can truly be themselves.
A Tradition of Joy: Nori’s Story
Fourteen-year-old Nori Childers, another Adaptive Dance student, has attended every sensory-friendly performance of The Nutcracker since the Ballet began offering them in 2018.
“We’re so grateful that KC Ballet produces this show for families like ours, who find it challenging to find activities that meet the needs of our children,” says Nori’s mother, Lesa. “Going to the sensory-friendly performance of The Nutcracker every year means so much to us.”
For Lesa and Nori, this experience means being able to stay through the whole show. “She won’t need me to take her out if she has an anxiety episode and is vocal, causing discomfort for others. At sensory-friendly events, we don’t have to worry about stares or needing to leave.”
In this supportive environment, they can also sit closer to the stage. “At sensory-friendly shows, I see the wonder on her face – she truly enjoys being so close and seeing everything so clearly,” Lesa adds.
Finding Magic in ALICE (in wonderland): Holland’s Experience
Holland and her mother attended the recent sensory-friendly performance of ALICE (in wonderland), an experience Paige describes as “inspirational.”
“I found myself tearing up several times during the show – both from the extraordinary performance and the reactions of the children near me,” she says.
“This performance created a magical space where Holland’s uniqueness was celebrated, without fear of disrupting the norm,” Paige shares.
“Supporting sensory-friendly performances is about embracing the beauty of diversity and giving children like Holland the chance to experience the joy of dance in a truly inclusive setting.”
Sensory-Friendly Ballet: Where Everyone Can Shine
Kansas City Ballet’s sensory-friendly performances feature adjusted sound levels, softer lighting, and relaxed house rules that allow for movement, the use of devices, and talking throughout the show.
Quiet spaces like the serenity rooms at the Kauffman Center and ushers trained by Children’s Mercy Hospital experts, supported by KC Ballet staff, ensure that families like Holland’s and Nori’s feel safe and supported, making it possible to enjoy these outings together.
“Sensory-friendly performances lower barriers to access, creating a space where everyone can connect with dance comfortably and confidently,” says Kim Trudell, KC Ballet’s Partnership Specialist.
“Our audiences have told us how invaluable it is to know they can attend a show where it’s okay to be themselves.”
Ahleah’s Journey to The Nutcracker
In addition to sensory-friendly performances and adaptive dance classes, the KC Ballet School also offers opportunities for students of all abilities to shine.
This year, nine-year-old Ahleah Smith, a student who came to KCBS through the Ballet’s Reach Out And Dance (R.O.A.D.) program, successfully auditioned for a role in The Nutcracker. Ahleah, who is deaf, is a baby mouse in Act 1 and a cherub in Act 2 in this year’s production.
Hearing impaired since birth, Ahleah discovered her passion for ballet when R.O.A.D. came to her school in 2022. She quickly fell in love with the art form and is now an active participant in the Level 2 R.O.A.D. class in the Academy of the KC Ballet School.
When she’s not dancing, Ahleah watches ballet videos in her bedroom, soaking in every performance. She says she loves the movement of dance and is eager to “show the world my dance” in The Nutcracker.
The Magic of The Nutcracker for All
Kansas City Ballet’s sensory-friendly performances, along with inclusive programs like Adaptive Dance and R.O.A.D., are making ballet accessible to everyone. These efforts foster a culture of inclusivity, welcoming all to experience the magic of dance.
Each performance of The Nutcracker costs over $50,000 to produce. Generous supporters like Riley ABA & Autism Center, The Kirk Foundation, and the Mike Breedlove Memorial Fund underwrite expenses to help keep The Nutcracker sensory-friendly show accessible.
If you want to make a gift that supports the Ballet’s inclusive programs, please click here. You may also contact impact@kcballet.org or by phone at 816.216.5612.
To purchase tickets to the December 5 sensory-friendly performance of The Nutcracker, please call the Box Office at 816.931.8993.
Header image: Holland Hansen is welcomed by Kansas City Ballet trainee Sage Guillot at the ALICE (in wonderland) sensory-friendly show in October 2024. Photo by Paige Hansen.
