Up and Away’s limited run of preview performances will take place April 29-May 3, 2015, at Lincoln Center’s intimate Clark Studio Theater. The premiere performances of Up and Away are scheduled for fall 2015 and will be open to the general public. Tim and Amanda Webb of the U.K.-based theatre group Oily Cart will help develop the production through a workshop process with children attending the eventual performances. Integral to these presentations will be ensuring the engagement and comfort of both the children and their caregivers.
Russell Granet, executive director of Lincoln Center Education, said in a statement, "Commissioning this work is, for Lincoln Center Education, a natural extension of the commitment Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts has made to accessibility in all its forms. In the capable hands of Trusty Sidekick, one of the city’s leading theatrical companies dedicated to creating innovative work for young people, Up and Away is sure to provide a high-quality arts experience for young people on the autism spectrum and their families.”
Up and Away, according to press notes, "is at once a story and an interactive experience, inspired loosely by the imagination of Jules Verne and his famous book 'Around the World in 80 Days.' The audience will arrive at the Lincoln Center venue’s elevators for a 'ride to the sky' as if they are about to set off on a hot air balloon journey to see, feel, smell, and experience the wonders of the world above the clouds. Once in the theater space, children, and adults will sit in specially designed baskets and embark on an adventure filled with puppetry, projection, and music. Each performance of Up and Away will be presented for an audience of approximately eight children and their accompanying caregivers. In addition, a quiet space will be available near the theater for any children needing a break from the action."