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FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNHelp Make the Arts Accessible

Safety and InclusivityMusic and on-stage sounds will be lowered, low-level lightingwill be maintained for the audience, and adjustments to theproduction will be made to ensure everyone’s comfort. BTCwill partner with The Bushnell to offer a "Visit Day" to thetheater for families to get acclimated to the space in advanceof attending the performance. See page 5.The Sensory-Friendly Ballet will provide a safe, judgment-freeenvironment for those who have sensory or any other types ofchallenges that may make them feel uncomfortable at a“typical” performance. AccessibilityAt Ballet Theatre Company (BTC), we believe that all children deserve theopportunity to experience the positive impact of the arts. Therefore, through ourprogramming, we strive to reach as many people as possible through dance classes,opportunities to attend professional live performances, and dance-based educationsuited for school curriculums. The Sensory-Friendly Ballet will be a safe and respectful environment beyond whatfamilies (audiences of all ages) expect at a regular theatrical ballet performance.BTC's Sensory-Friendly Ballet will reach 1,800 people who canenjoy performing arts and culture in a way that is fine-tunedfor everyone's needs and preferences.BTC created this offering in response to the needs ofindividuals with sensory sensitivity, including people on theautism spectrum. The Miracle League of CT is consulting BTCto ensure a smooth experience.Community EnrichmentSENSORY FRIENDLY BALLET / 2The Mission

AboutBallet Theatre Company's Sensory-Friendly Ballet: Cinderella will be presented atThe Bushnell's Maxwell M. and Ruth R. Belding Theater in Hartford, CT on April30, 2023 at 11:00 am. Cinderella, a beloved fairytale classic, features choreography by the company'sArtistic Director, Stephanie Dattellas, set to Prokofiev's timeless score.The story of Cinderella follows a young girl whose father passes away, so she isleft to grow up serving as a maid to her Stepmother and Stepsisters. With thehelp of her Fairy Godmother's magic, Cinderella is able to escape her life ofservitude for one beautiful evening. Though the magic runs out and she quicklyflees with the stroke of midnight, that is not the end of Cinderella's newadventures. The audience joins Cinderella on her thrilling journey to find out ifher dreams can come true ~with a little bit of magic~.SENSORY FRIENDLY BALLET / 3

Patrons are free to talk and leave their seats during the performanceDesignated quiet areas within the theater lobby spaces, staffed withautism specialistsSpace throughout the theater for standing and movementLimited crowds and visitors at The Bushnell during the day and timingof the performanceBushnell staff and volunteers are trained to be inviting andaccommodating to families' needs.Safe, Judgment-free theater environmentThe ExperienceLower sound level, especially for startling or loud soundsLights remain on at a low level in the theater during the show A reduction of strobe lighting or lighting focused on the audiencePerformance EnhancementsMeet Your Seat at The BushnellTicket buyers of BTC's Sensory-Friendly Ballet will have the opportunity to"meet their seat" prior to the performance date. To allow participants to getacclimated to the space upon arrival to the theater on show day, ticketbuyers can schedule an appointment with The Bushnell's front of house towalk through thru the theater, scan their seats and prepare for a smoothvisit. SENSORY FRIENDLY BALLET / 4Additional Resources The venue, The Bushnell, is working with BTC to ensure that additionalresources are available. Examples include a visual schedule, fidget toys, earplugs, a coloring space, a quiet space, a core-communication board, achoice board, and a QR Code to a visual timer.

Sensory Friendly productions of shows that neurotypical people get to enjoy areso important the those who are neurodiverse. They give an opportunity tofamilies who have children with all kinds of sensory challenges to enjoy the arts ina safe environment and judgment-free zone. So many of our families would love to go to the theater or ballet but areapprehensive about going to a typical performance because their children may bemore active or speak up loudly, and they are in fear that it may disturb otherpatrons. At a sensory-friendly show, the families understand because most oftheir children have the same kinds of challenges. A sensory-friendly show is about removing the barriers that might prevent afamily from enjoying the arts. In addition to the sensory and social challenges,another barrier is sometimes a financial one. In addition to all the logistics that accompany having a child with special needs,many of our families incur more medical expenses than the typical family.At the end of the day, many of our families can’t afford to spend $300 for oneevent for their family. Our goal (of partnering with BTC to give families free and discounted tickets) is tomake the arts accessible to all."From our PartnerSENSORY FRIENDLY BALLET / 5Ballet Theatre Company is working directly with long-time partner, the Miracle League of CT, and The Bushnellto ensure that the performances are suitable andenjoyable for all audiences.BTC's PartnerThe Miracle League of CT

Your investment...SENSORY FRIENDLY BALLET / 6 Pictured above are children and adults who attended the Sensory-Friendly Ballet of The Nutcracker. Over 250 people enjoyed BTC's quintessential production, The Nutcracker at The Bushnell's Belding Theater. ...makes the arts accessible.On Monday, April 3 we kicked off a community driven fundraiser to raise $20,000 tosupport the Sensory-Friendly performance so that we can offer discounted tickets tocommunity organizations like the Miracle League of Connecticut, Autism FamiliesConnecticut, Autism Services & Resources, Gengras Center and more.Each donation offsets the cost of the production, which in turn becomes greatlydiscounted tickets reserved for families who face high medical bills and other expenses.With your support, they get an opportunity to enjoy the performance together.The more donations that BTC receives translate into ticket price discounts that BTC willannounce and share via its community partners (agencies that serve children withdisabilities). $20,000 goal by April 21Donate today to make a meaningful impact on our community.

Cinderella Sensory-Friendly Presenting Sponsor $50,000Your support will cover nearly all of the costs of the Cinderella sensory-friendly performance, fully allowing Ballet Theatre Company to offer theperformance free of charge to community groups such as The MiracleLeague of CT, Austism Families CT, Autism Services and Resources CT,and others.Funding OpportunitiesSENSORY FRIENDLY BALLET / 7 Through your sponsorship, BTC will offer 25 discounted tickets.Ticket Sponsor $5,000 LevelCinderella Sensory-Friendly Presenting Community Match Sponsor $20,000Your support will match our community fundraiser 1:1 allowing BTC to double its impact forthe community. Through this sponsorship level, BTC can offer 250 tickets free of charge to communitygroups such as Miracle League families and Autism Families Connecticut. You will lift theburden of families who manage financial burdens due to medical bills and needs.Ticket Sponsor $1,000 LevelThrough your sponsorship, BTC will offer 50 discounted tickets.Through your sponsorship, BTC will offer 200 discounted tickets toMiracle League families and Autism Families Connecticut lifting theburden of families who already manage financial burdens due tomedical needs. Ticket Sponsor $500 Level

The ExpensesYou can support this unique ballet by becoming a sponsor today. The total costof the Season 24 A Sensory Friendly Ballet program is over $54,000. BTC will selltickets to each sensory-friendly ballet, but we aim to give discounts and as manyfree tickets as our organization can. If you become a sponsor, you provide criticalsupport to ensure that this program is sustainable.Total Budget for A Sensory-Friendly Ballet ProgramExpensesArtistic and Admin Personal (Dancers, Costume Designers, etc) Technical Personnel (Lighting Designer,Master Electrician, etc) Production Elements (Lighting Equipment, Costumes, Props, etc) $6,175SENSORY FRIENDLY BALLET / 8 $54,157.50Bushnell Theater Rental and Studio RentalMarketing and Advertising$9,312.50$1,482.50$48,200$26,600TOTAL EXPENSES $3,825Misc.Travel/Housing/Fees/Per diem$1,612.50$54,157.50

This is the firsttime our entirefamily will seethe show andthat meansmore to usthan I can say. Amy MessingerPictured with her two daughtersContact BTC's DevelopmentDirector, Brianna Dunlap, with any questions atgiving@dancebtc.org.