17 Jan Big Umbrella Festival Returns to Lincoln Center

Fifth Edition of Groundbreaking Festival
Centering Neurodiverse Audiences and Artists
Creating Inclusive Experiences

The Big Umbrella Festival returns to Lincoln Center this April, featuring a weekend of free and Choose-What-You-Pay programming designed specifically for neurodiverse audiences of all ages—welcoming kids, teens, adults, and their families.

Now in its fifth iteration, the Festival includes an expanded array of events across campus varying in scale and genre. From the awe-inspiring Architects of Air’s Daedalum: a giant maze installation in Damrosch Park, to Theatre Motus’s intimate and adaptive TREE: A World in Itself, in which performers tailor the experience to each individual audience member, the Festival continues Lincoln Center’s ongoing commitment to making the performing arts accessible for all.

Launched in 2018, the Big Umbrella Festival centers audiences with autism and other developmental disabilities by sharing unique approaches to sensory-based, interactive, and intimate artistic experiences to meet audiences exactly as they are. Each edition of the festival has returned with expanded offerings for enthusiastic audiences across in-person, virtual, and outdoor events and installations. Photos/Videos from past festivals are available HERE.

This year’s inclusive tapestry of events across campus are designed to engage and resonate with neurodiverse audiences of all ages. Highlights include:

The ReelAbilities Film Festival, featuring in-person screenings of ground-breaking films by and about people with disabilities, as well as virtual options. (April 6 & 9)

Barrowland Ballet’s Playful Tiger—a thrilling interactive dance-theatre piece designed for neurodiverse young people aged 7 and up, telling the story of a tiger’s visit to a family home that turns their world upside down—resulting in brilliantly fun sensory engagement. (April 12-14)

A unique and intimate multi-sensory experience with Theatre Motus’s TREE: A World in Itself creates a welcoming arts environment where five characters continually adapt to meet the needs of their audience. (April 12-14)

Architects of Air’s Daedalum: A gigantic, whimsical maze installation in Damrosch Park, formed out of 19 egg-shaped domes, creating mysterious sight-lines and viewpoints for visitors to explore. (April 6-7, 10-14, and 17-21)

Piano concerts in the David Rubenstein Atrium from award-winning recording artist and personality Lachi—who weaves her experiences on Disability Pride and Culture with humor and storytelling. (April 13)

Part of a campus-wide series, all events are Relaxed Performances, providing a supportive social environment for individuals with autism, sensory and communication disorders, or learning disabilities. Attendees can enter and leave audience spaces as needed, vocalize, and move freely, creating a “no shushing” zone. Chill out spaces and visual art spaces are also available. For more information about Relaxed Performances, visit LincolnCenter.org/Relaxed.

Visual Guides in English and Spanish offer detailed directions, arrival instructions, and venue amenities with images. Additionally, all events are located on accessible routes with accessible entrances, restrooms, and seating.

Tickets for Choose-What-You-Pay events go on sale to the public on Tuesday, January 23 at noon. Learn more at LincolnCenter.org/BigUmbrella.

Location:

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Lincoln Center Plaza
New York, NY 10023