Snuggleplay
Pre-walking babies aged 0 – 15 months
29 September - 3 October
Tuesday
29th September
Wednesday
30th September
Thursday
1st October
Friday
2nd October
Saturday
3rd October
45 minutes
Sensorium Theatre
$10 per child
Free for one (1) accompanying adult
$5 for each additional adult
Snuggleplay is an intimate theatre experience designed for eight babies aged 6 to 15 months and their caregivers. Families are welcomed under the Story Tree, where they are invited on a gentle sensory journey from land to sky to sea, finishing amongst the stars. Featuring gorgeous live music and movement, plus multisensory activities designed for babies and their carers to enjoy together. Babies are accepted just as they are and encouraged to listen, smell, touch and explore within this warm hug of a show. Snuggleplay is the supportive ‘village’ of our collective imagination, centred on connection, engagement and inclusion. This work responds to the need for early years cultural experiences that prioritise emotional safety, calm and embodied interaction. Snuggleplay offers a unique artistic experience that sits outside conventional definitions of theatre, early childhood education or parent-and-baby classes.
Please note: This experience is tailored for one child and one accompanying adult. It is suitable for caregivers and pre-walking babies aged 6 to 15 months to ensure everyone's safety. Please arrange alternative care for siblings.
Artists and Creators
- Director & Concept - Michelle Hovane
- Artist Provocateur & Choreographic Consultant – Alice Cummins
- Musical Director & Composer - Thea Rossen
- Co-Devisors - Michelle Hovane, Alice Cummins, Jacqui Otago, Thea Rossen, Kathleen Szalay
- Dramaturgical Consultant – Ella Hetherington
- Design Co-ordination & Additional Dramaturgy – Francis Italiano
- Set Designer – Sanjiva Margio
- Costume Designer & Associate Designer (set & props) - Ellen Flatters
- Lighting Designer - Lucy Birkinshaw
- Performers
- Thea Rossen
- Michelle Hovane
- Jacqui Otago
- Kathleen Szalay
- Gala Shevtsov
- Production & Stage Manager - Wendi Graham
- Professional Therapeutic Supervision (OT) – Annabel Poulsen
- Developmental Therapist Consultant – Holly Campbell
- Producer & Audience Development - Lena John Gomez
- Paper courtesy of Alice Cummins’ terra
Accessibility Guide
Lighting and Sound
Total blackout (audience)
Lighting level
Soft light turning gradually darker but not dark
Flashing lights
Loud sounds
Repetitive noises
Drums
Djembe is played fairly softly
High-pitched tones
Kochi Chimes
Unexpected sounds
Nothing jarring, but as above there is a constantly changing soundscape with natural recorded bird and frog sounds, as well as live music and songs
Background Music
There is a musical score with sounds, songs, recorded and live music
Interactivity and Participation
Children invited on stage
There is no separation between performers and audience members. Babies will be with the carers in the same space as the performers
Artist goes into audience
There is no "fourth wall" . Skilled artists facilitate interactions with babies and their families.
Manual activity (e.g. read, draw, sing, paint, construct things)
Undertake direct movement
Participation in groups/pairs
Parent/carer can support in participation
Capacity for a child slower in their movements to participate
Senses, Emotions and Effects
Distinctive smells
There are brown paper packets with spices and eucalyptus leaves which provide smells for babies and their carers. There are fresh peppermint gum leaves attached to our "tree" so that the space has a fresh ambient smell.
Special effects
Textures
Fake Fur ( in pieces and on puppets), brown paper, actual water in bowls, airconditioning duct "slinkies" small lycra-covered starfish, large "starfish" with a variety of circles of different coloured and textured materials
Balloons
Characters express anger
Dialogue driven
Very small amount. There are approximately 6 different rhyming couplets that are used throughout the show.
Props
Water - baby may need a change of clothes. Also, we expect that babies may place things in their mouths, and each prop has been constructed to be safe - either disposable or washable.
Attention Span
Intermission/break
Introduction
Less than 5 minutes
Children need to sit in one place
The presenter has created custom-made snugglepods,, which are floor-based, foam-backed chairs to support carers in holding their babies and participating comfortably. However, we don't expect them to stay in one place.
Appropriate to make noise/move around
Yes we expect babies and their carers to move and make sound including crying, changing nappies, breastfeeding, crawling as much as they need to.
