Justin Gomlak, director of education and community engagement at the Van Weisel Performing Arts Hall, told the Citizens with Disabilities Advisory Board on Nov. 10 that the hall is expanding programs to increase access for people with a range of disabilities.

Gomlak said the NextGen program trains teens and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in workplace skills so they can serve as ushers; each trainee is paired with a consistent mentor usher. "We're really being intentional about, limiting their choices so that we can get them a really strong mentor," he said.

He described an all-abilities creative movement series taught monthly by Duane Schoeman, artistic director of Revolutions Dance Company of Tampa, that mixes wheelchair users and standing dancers and is free to participants. Gomlak said the hall also has an invite-only dance class in partnership with The Haven, Loveland and Easterseals of Southwest Florida focused on movement-centered instruction for people with developmental disabilities.

The hall has begun offering sensory-friendly, or "relaxed," performances on its main stage. Gomlak said the venue will not change shows but will alter the environment — providing a quiet room, noise-reducing headphones and fidgets, keeping some house lights up, and allowing movement and noise in the auditorium. He announced a relaxed performance of How the Grinch Stole Christmas the Musical at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday and said the hall will include a new "Know Before You Go" email and a captioned, walk-through video for attendees.

Gomlak invited board members to attend school-time performances on Dec. 8 featuring Revolutions Dance, which will present work by physically integrated dancers and speak directly to students about identity and access. "Art is for all, and by all we really do mean all," he said.

The Van Weisel asked that audience members attending relaxed performances refrain from wearing strong fragrances; staff said that request will be included in the pre-show communications.

Board members thanked Gomlak and several praised the restoration of teacher rush tickets and the hall's renewed education efforts. Gomlak offered free reservations for board members to attend the Dec. 8 performances.

Ending: The Van Weisel said these are early steps and that it plans to expand the offerings if community demand supports them. Board members were asked to help spread the word about the free and relaxed events.