Accessibility at PNB

PNB’s guiding principle is to inspire, engage, and educate through dance. Accessibility programs throughout our organization ensure that all communities and families have a place at PNB. Whether participating in a class or attending a performance, everyone is welcome at PNB. Read on to learn more about some of the ways PNB makes dance accessible to all who wish to participate!

Audience Programs

Sensory-Friendly Performances

Sensory-Friendly performances are designed to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for people with sensory processing challenges to enjoy the shared experience of live ballet with their friends and family. These performances have a relaxed environment that includes lighting and sound modifications and entry/exit privileges. They also include sensory supports, quiet spaces, and activities. George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® and our Family Matinee have designated Sensory-Friendly performances, and all PNB repertory programs are supported by sensory guides.

A cloth box full of colorful fidget toys.
An orange sign that says "Sensory Area" stands in a dimly lit room full of green beanbags and toys.

Front-of-house activities at PNB’s sensory-friendly performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® in 2021, photos © Noel Pederson.

Audio Dance Description

Audio Dance Description provides live description for select performances throughout the season, including full-length story ballets and mixed repertory programs. Developed in partnership with Darkroom Ballet, audio described performances seek to elevate the artistic experience of our blind and visually impaired audience members through description that engages with dance as a visceral, human expression. Audio described performances included braille and large print programs, and live-captioning and/or ASL Interpretation for pre- and post-show discussions.

PNB School

Dance For All

Dance for All is an inclusive dance class for students of all abilities and mobility levels. Dance for All is centered in supporting neurodiverse students and students with disabilities. Designed to support multiple ways of perceiving and expressing, Dance for All’s nine-week sessions build upon movement concepts that emphasize balance, coordination, expressivity, strength, and teamwork. Classes are taught by PNB School faculty skilled in inclusive and adaptive teaching practices. All classes are accompanied by a professional musician and supported by volunteers from the University of Washington Division of Occupational Therapy.

A young girl in a pink leotard reaches both arms above her head. She is in a dance studio with several other students who are all reaching their arms up too. A dance teacher smiles in the background.
A group of dancing teachers and students stand in a circle. In the center of the circle, a musician sits on the floor and plays a hand drum.

1. Deborah Kenner in class with Dance For All students, photo © Lindsay Thomas. 2. PNB School faculty and students in a Dance for All class, photo © Robert Austria.

STG Dance for PD®

In collaboration with Seattle Theatre Group, Dance for PD® offers internationally-acclaimed dance classes for people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners. Classes are taught by professional teaching artists, accompanied by dance musicians, and explore movement in a safe, creative, and joyful manner. Working with professional dancers and teaching artists trained in the Dance for PD® method, participants are inspired to explore movement and music in ways that are refreshing, enjoyable, and stimulating. All classes are free, eliminating a significant barrier to participation.

Dance for PD students in the classroom.
Dance for PD students in the classroom.

Dance for PD participants, photos © Christopher Nelson.

Special Education & Adaptive Dance

Developed in partnership with Seattle Public Schools staff and designed to serve students in both inclusion and self-contained settings, PNB’s special education program provides access to DANCE TO LEARN and DISCOVER DANCE curriculum for students with disabilities. Through modified curriculum, identifying and facilitating student supports, collaboration with school and district staff, and ongoing training for PNB staff and teaching artists, all students can access the positive and empowering experience of dance.

A group of smiling elemetary-school students dance in their classroom.

1. Students dance in their classroom, photo © Joseph Lambert/Jazzy Photo. 2. DISCOVER DANCE performance, photo © Joseph Lambert/Jazzy Photo.