Artists on PracticeTheatre for young children with complex needs

What qualities does a performer need to engage very young children with complex needs? What advice would you give to artists interested in exploring this area of practice? How has your own theatre practice been impacted by engaging with children in a multi-sensory way? These are just some of the topics addressed by Helium’s early years team: Director Joanna Williams and performers Thomas Johnston, Niamh Lawlor and Roseanne Lynch.

Pop Up Picnic is our current early years project, a multi-sensory performance experience created for families with young children who have complex needs. As well as public performances, the artists visits families in their homes, using music, sound, puppetry, movement and tactile environments to provide families with new ways of bonding with their child.