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The Ringling and the Arts and Cultural Alliance Welcome X-Marks the Spot: An X-Tra Sensory Xperience Inclusive Theater Experience for Families and Children Contact Name: virginia harshman Contact Email: virginia.harshman@ringling.org Contact Phone Number: 941-359-5700 ext 2803 2019 Press Release: Sarasota, Florida-The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County are pleased to present X-Marks the Spot, an all-new form of “X-Tra Sensory Theatre” created for all audiences, inspired by children who are visually impaired. X-Marks the Spot: An X-Tra Sensory Xperience uses sounds, voices, tastes and touchable, scented props to create an all-new multisensory theater event, ideal for children and parents to experience together. At X-Marks the Spot, audiences enter the theater to find a magical, low-light, communal setting. The first surprise is how fast the other four senses jump to life, ready to take in the interactive fun soon to come. Then, actors perform a spine-tingling story about a family of adventurers using a highly choreographed series of props, sounds, tastes and smells that stimulate the senses and bring the play to life. Katie Nickel, The Ringling’s School & teacher Program Coordinator, said, “We feel very fortunate to be able to bring this incredible and eye-opening family theater experience to The Ringling. It is our hope that, after seeing the show, families will engage in conversations about inclusion.” The Ringling is partnering with the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County who have been instrumental in bringing the performance to Sarasota. X-Marks the Spot: An X-Tra Sensory Xperience was conceived by Jacqueline Russell, Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Chicago Children’s Theatre. The work was deeply informed by her semester-long residency last spring with students who are visually impaired at a Chicago Public Schools elementary school. It also builds on Russell’s efforts throughout her career to create theater that is inclusive of all audiences, best evidenced by her acclaimed Red Kite Project productions and camps for children on the autism spectrum. This is The Ringling’s first collaboration with the Chicago Children’s Theater. The plot for X-Marks the Spot is loosely based on the Victorian era children’s novel Five Children & It by Edith Nesbit, which tells the clever and funny story of a family of young adventurers who discover a mischievous wishing fairy in the sand—only to learn the old adage, “be careful what you wish for.” Performances for local schools will be held Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at 10:45 a.m. and noon. Free public performances will be Nov. 2, 10:45 and noon. Tickets are required and may be obtained at ringling.org or by calling 941-358-3180. The Ringling and the Arts and Cultural Alliance are grateful for the generous support of the Helming and Knies Family Foundation, Audrey Robbins, The Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and the Circus Arts Conservatory. # # # About The Ringling The Ringling is a center for art, history and learning situated on 66 acres on Sarasota Bay. It is built on the legacy of circus entrepreneur, collector of art and financier John Ringling and his wife Mable. The Ringling inspires visitors with an acclaimed collection of Old Master paintings, explores with them the diverse cultures and art of Asia, delights them with the story of the American circus, and transports them to the Roaring Twenties during a tour of the magnificent Ca’ d’Zan mansion. The Ringling is also committed to exhibiting the work of an emerging community of living artists that moves beyond traditional practice and features dynamic and engaging contemporary visual and performing arts, including a diverse roster of theater, music and dance. The Ringling is the State Art Museum of Florida. Affiliated with Florida State University, it is one of the largest university art centers in the nation. Media Contact The Ringling: Virginia Harshman Public relations specialist Virginia.harshman@ringling.org 941-359-5700 X 2803 About Chicago Children’s Theater Chicago Children’s Theatre has transformed the former 12th District Police Station, located in the heart of Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood at 100 S. Racine Avenue, into its first permanent home. The new Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Station, celebrated its grand opening in January 2017, and now serves as a beautiful, mixed-use performing arts, education and community engagement facility that welcomes all Chicago families. Since its launch in 2005, CCT has cemented its reputation as the city’s largest professional theater company devoted exclusively to children and young families. The company evolved out of Chicago’s need for high-quality, professional children’s programming to match the quality and significance of powerhouses such as Steppenwolf, Goodman and Lookingglass. In 2017, Chicago Children’s Theatre became the first theater for young audiences in the nation to win a National Theatre Award from the American Theatre Wing, creators of the Tony Awards