Sensory Nook on Broadway!
Melissa Holling • July 15, 2025
Creating a More Inclusive Broadway Experience with Sensory Nook
Live theatre can be a powerful, emotional experience, but for neurodivergent people, the noise, crowds, and bright lights can quickly become overwhelming. That’s why the Broadway musical "How to Dance in Ohio" made an important step toward accessibility by incorporating Sensory Nook pods both front of house and backstage.
The pods offered the production's actors and audience members quiet spaces to relax in, away from the loud intensity of the theatre. The Nooks accommodated sensory needs in the overwhelming environment.
The backstage Sensory Nook features subdued lighting and acoustics to provide performers with a quiet space to unwind between scenes away from the chaos of backstage.
In the theatre lobby, another Nook gives overwhelmed audience members a dimly lit escape from the clamour of the crowded hallways and theatre. The pods helped aid the participation of neurodiverse groups.
By integrating sensory-friendly spaces, How to Dance in Ohio took meaningful action to make Broadway more inclusive and welcoming for neurodivergent people both on stage and in the audience.
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