Ballet Des Moines premieres sensory-inclusive "Nutcracker"

Why it matters: There's "magic" to experiencing a live performance with an audience that everyone should be able to take part in, says Beau Kenyon, Ballet Des Moines' director of education and outreach.

State of play: The $3 show includes several sensory-friendly features: lights will stay half-on, sound will be lowered and audience members can move freely during the performance.

• Before the show, dancers will greet audience members and there will be a "touch tour" so people can feel the costumes.
• American Sign Language interpreters and audio support for visually impaired people will be provided.

Zoom in: Hoyt Sherman, which hosts the performances, can seat 1,100 people. But the goal is to sell fewer than 400 seats, Kenyon tells Axios.

• "We're doing this as a service to the community, not as an engine to make money," Kenyon says.

The big picture: Kenyon says Des Moines Ballet formed an accessibility committee, with people from across the community, to develop the performance.

• The goal is to make themselves and the changes "invisible" so audience members can fully experience the show.

The bottom line: The committee helped with further considerations. For example, some people may note that they need an ASL interpreter, but that doesn't mean they want to sit next to the interpreter, he says.

• Now, registration for the show includes both questions.
• "We're trying to provide agency and independence and dignity to everyone," Kenyon says.