The Big Apple Circus Presents Matinee Performances for Those with Special Needs

By Catherine Patwell October 21, 2015

The Big Apple Circus presents specially adapted matinee performances of its new show, The Grand Tour, for children with speical needs.

The Big Apple Circus returns to Lincoln Center this fall with the world premiere of its new show, The Grand Tour, which recreates the opulence of the Roaring 20s and the dawn of the modern luxurious travel era, complete with clowns, jugglers, acrobats, and aerialist from around the world.

On Wednesday, Oct. 28, and Thursday, Oct. 29, it will perform Circus of the Senses, a specially adapted matinee performance for children and adults with vision or hearing impairments. Special wireless audio headsets which feature play-by-play descriptions and large-print braille brochures will be available to guests, and American Sign Language interpreters will be on hand to translate auditory aspects of the show. Following the special 75-minute performances, which begin at 11am, the circus will offer a “touch session”—a unique opportunity for guests to get into the circus ring and meet the artists and some performance animals.

Tickets for Circus of the Senses are $12.50, or $10 per person for groups of 10 or more. Those interested in purchasing tickets must fill out a ticket application form at bigapplecircus.org/circus-of-the-senses. Tickets will be distributed on first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to children with vision and hearing impairments and their chaperones.

On Tuesday, Nov. 17, the Big Apple Circus Embraces Autism! with another special performance geared toward families with members on the autism spectrum. Adapted with autism spectrum disorder specialists, this adaptation of The Grand Tour will feature adjusted lighting and sound, a calming center, and specially trained staff and volunteers to ensure a memorable event for all. This matinee show also begins at 11am.

Tickets for the Big Apple Circus Embraces Autism! range in price from $12.50-$37.50, and are available at bigapplecircus.org.