Different Planet Arts (DPA) wants to create a world where everybody - particularly children and young people with disabilities - enjoy, influence and are inspired by inclusive arts and cultural activities.
We are an arts charity devising sensory theatre and arts events for children and young people with complex additional needs and their families to enjoy together. Based in Lewes, we meet audiences in Sussex and across the South East in theatres, art centres, schools, hospitals and community spaces.
Sensory Friendly Cinema Project at The Depot, Lewes.
https://differentplanetarts.org.uk/wild-world-cinema-weekends-sensory-friendly-cinema-2026/
We will be running this exciting project for the second year across 4 weekends through 2026/7. Preliminary production and rehearsals will take place in May and June 2026 The "Sensory Friendly Cinema" project is a pioneering initiative that blends live performance with cinema to create an immersive, accessible experience for children with complex additional needs, and their families. Unlike traditional theatre, this project prioritises sensory regulation, slow-paced storytelling, object theatre, and interactive and participatory "touchpoints." This project is a collaboration between DPA, Carousel, The Depot, and Figment Arts.
We are seeking an experienced freelance performer and facilitator to join our Sensory Cinema Project. Together with the wider team ( artistic director, musician, personal assistant/ artist advocate) you will work closely with our learning disabled performers to rehearse and deliver immersive sensory cinema and theatre screening experiences for families with children and young people with complex disabilities. The role combines live performance, facilitation and audience interaction within a cinema/theatre environment. Performances and sessions are responsive, flexible and audience-led, requiring a high level of improvisation, sensitivity and creative adaptability.
Role and Responsibilities
Your Role as Performer & Facilitator
Creative Development
Collaborate respectfully and creatively with a learning disabled team to devise and shape sensory cinema content. The sensory theatre/ cinema performances will have been significantly developed including the script, original music and props and set design but there will be space to contribute to the creative process as we work together and rehearse.
Our Team
Our performer/ facilitation team will be made up of 5 performers and within the team our goal is to empower three learning disabled artists to be the face and heart of this production, ensuring that they can participate in the project delivery at our screenings whilst also contributing to the creative development within rehearsals.
Within our creative team:
You will support the personal assistant/ artist advocate and the artistic director and be part of the creative "scaffolding" for our artists. Your mission will be to:
Translate: Together with the artistic director to turn complex directorial ideas into accessible tasks for the performers.
Regulate: Monitor the energy of the room, identifying early signs of sensory overwhelm or fatigue.
Support: To ensure that the process is as accessible as possible for our artists by anticipating, monitoring and supporting their needs through the process through structured planning and also in the moment.
The Creative Team
The Performers: We will be working with 5 performers/ facilitators including three neurodiverse performers with varying communication styles and support needs.
The Performer/ Artist Advocate (You): The bridge between the direction and the artists’ delivery.
Artistic Director: Provides the artistic lead and overarching directorial vision. They will also be involved in some aspects of production.
Project manager: Production and logistical management
Font of House: meet and greet on screening days and logistics / organisational management of the screening days
Within our Screenings/ Performances
Delivery & Performance
Perform and facilitate sensory cinema and theatre screenings for families with children and young people with complex disabilities. - Create a welcoming, calm and playful environment that supports a wide range of access needs. - Improvise and adapt performance content in response to audience needs, energy levels and unexpected changes in the moment. - Work confidently within a cinema setting, integrating live performance with film, sound, lighting and sensory effects.
Facilitation & Access
Support positive, inclusive engagement for children, young people, families and carers. Work sensitively with audiences who may communicate non-verbally or express themselves in unexpected ways and live with profound physical challenges. Collaborate with front-of-house staff, support workers and families to ensure a safe and supportive experience.
Application Process
Please contact us for application details and an application pack. Contact Ariane at ariane@differentplanetarts.org.uk
Date added
19th February 2026
Organisation
Days per week
Various
Deadline for applications
16th Mar 2026
Salary
Fixed term contract, Total Fee: £5,360.00 (28 days 2026-2027 based on pre and post project meetings, 2 days for planning, evaluation work and meetings @£150 per day , approx 18 rehearsal days @£170 and 8 performance days @£250)
Hours per week
Key Project dates: Project Development x3 days: May 28-30 Summer Block x9 days: Rehearsals Jun 2-4, 9-12; Performances Jun 13–14 Autumn Block x4 days: Rehearsals Sep 16–17; Performances Sep 19–20 Winter Block x4 days: Rehearsals Dec 9–10; Performances Dec 12–13 Spring Block 2027×5 days: Rehearsals Mar 16–18; Performances Mar 20–21 (TBC) Evaluation x 1 day: March 23, 2027 Approximately 4.5 - 5 hrs per day. Total number of days: 28 days 2026-2027 based on pre and post project meetings, 2 days for planning, evaluation work and meetings @£150 per day , approx 18 rehearsal days @£170 and 8 performance days @£250)
Categories
Arts / Music / Culture
https://differentplanetarts.org.uk/wild-world-cinema-weekends-sensory-friendly-cinema-2026/
