IL GIARDINO SEGRETO (SECRET GARDEN)

Il Giardino Segreto (The Secret Garden) is an immersive, sensory and experimental show that involves people on the autism spectrum and/or neurodivergent individuals and their carers. Il Giardino Segreto is first and foremost an accessible space.

What is meant by an authorised space?

• A relaxed working environment, where people are free to get involved in activities or not, according to their own pace and inclinations.
• A place where time and space are freed up to allow anything to happen, valuing every child, boy or girl, as an individual.
• A space that allows everyone to trust their instincts and try new approaches by taking calculated risks.
• A space is enabled when there is room for patience: the tranquillity of allowing the necessary time for everyone to feel comfortable in acting or not acting.
• An enabled space is non-judgmental, where there are no expectations or objectives. It is a time dedicated to exploring and discovering oneself, others and the environment.
• A flexible space, where careful planning is in place, but at the same time there is the ability to deviate from the agenda in a journey of free exploration, for performers and participants alike.
• A flexible space, where careful planning is in place, but at the same time there is the ability to deviate from the agenda in a journey of free exploration, for performers and participants alike.

The Secret Garden environment

The Secret Garden is therefore a cosy, uncluttered, clean place, free from excessive stimuli, characterised by a carefully designed aesthetic, made up of light, relaxing colours, which allows gradual access to the proposed activity, respecting everyone's time and needs. It is a place designed based on the characteristics and needs of the participants, avoiding the frustration and effort associated with adapting to a pre-existing space. The props appear one at a time, first used by the performer and then offered to the participants through the “offer/non-offer” method, with no obligation to interact. The participants decide, often together with their carers, when, how and for how long to interact, or simply to watch. Once used, the object is then put away before the next one is presented, to make the story clear and accessible and to avoid overstimulation.

Role of accompanying persons

The accompanying persons (educators, relatives or people with a strong relationship with the participants) are an integral part of the show, acting as a medium together with the objects that the performer uses to reach the participants. Where possible, each participant has a designated accompanying person in a 1:1 relationship.

Communication and preparation

All actions are also presented through Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), a form of writing using images often used by non-verbal neurodivergent people. Before the experience:

• Educators/parents are sent all the images of the objects featured during the performance.
• A short video of the actress introducing herself is sent out. This way, participants know in advance what and who they will encounter, allowing them to arrive feeling more calm and relaxed. The performer wears photographs of each participant (taken a few days earlier) on her costume, introducing herself with mutual recognition:

“I was waiting for you, this place is your place, you are welcome here.”

Structure of the show

The show is cyclical, with two main moments: opening and closing.

• Welcome song: at the beginning, the actress sings a short tune to each participant, naming them, to welcome them.
• Goodbye song: at the end, participants are greeted with the same melody but different words, to give each person attention and make them feel comfortable. The Secret Garden is predominantly non-verbal, with sensory exploration guiding the dramaturgy.

Character and narration

Samay is located in a cosy and intimate setting, where he invents ways to make friends:

• He made friends with the ants, the plants, the sea, the sky and the stones.
• With his ‘travelling wardrobe’, he brings his inventions to the world, finding ways to make friends with those he meets. Participants and accompanying adults explore different settings (animals, plants, sea, sky and minerals), gradually building their own personal kit for making friends with the universe, which Samay will deliver at the end of the experience.

Important notes

• The duration of the experience is not fixed, as it is an immersive and interactive activity.
• The public is invited to participate a second time, two days later, at the same time as the first event.