Babylon Theater Responds To 'Disappointed' Autistic Aide's Experience

BABYLON VILLAGE, NY — A Babylon Village theater company is reacting to a negative reviewer, who claimed she and her client, who has autism, were rudely escorted out of a performance.

Jennifer Nadeau, an aide for people with autism, wrote on social media that she and her client went to see The Argyle Theatre's performance of "Beauty and the Beast" on Wednesday.

While Nadeau said she and her client were kicked out of the building, the theater refuted her story and said her post contained falsehoods.

In Nadeau's post, she claimed that about round a half-hour into the show, an employee asked Nadeau and her client — a young man — to leave because he was "laughing too" loudly.

"No warnings. No please keep it down. Nothing," said Nadeau.

The employee then escorted the pair to a separate space near a souvenir stand and a television which broadcasted the show.

"After about 10 minutes of not being able to hear or clearly see the TV, my client looked at me and said 'ready to go, Jennifer,'” she said.

Nadeau then said she asked the employee for her name and contact information for her client's mother.

"She was hesitant to give her information and made it clear that no refunds would be given but credit to come back to the theatre could be given," she said. "I let her know how I felt about the situation and reminded her that she can’t discriminate anyone with disabilities. "

As the pair left the theater, the employee who told us to leave followed them outside and offered orchestra them seats, and that they could come back into the play, she claimed.

Nadeau's post received more than 600 comments, with many people shocked to hear how she was treated.

"This is disappointing and disgraceful," wrote one person.

One parent wrote: "As a mother of a child with a physical disability, I am disgusted. "

On Friday, The Argyle Theatre responded to Nadeau's post, saying it contained "false information" based on its own investigation.

Around 3:30 p.m., there were "numerous reports of an individual causing consistent, loud disturbances" in the balcony section.

"Shortly thereafter, the manager approached the party, stating that we understand the aide was doing the best they can with the outbursts and requested politely and respectfully to please keep the noise to a minimum so as not to further disrupt the audience or the performance," they said. "At this point, the companion accompanying the young man stated that they would probably have to leave then, because he can't control it."

The manager said she did not ask Nadeau and her client to leave, but if "the party would be more comfortable," they could watch the show from a monitor in the lounge.

The pair went to the lounge and later headed for the exit doors "on their own accord."

"The manager approached the party and again provided additional options to continue watching the performance, to which the companion became highly emotional and continued to accuse the manager of kicking them out," they said.

In a "calm and respectful manner", the manager replied that this was not the case and repeated that she wanted them to stay to enjoy the show, the theater said. However, Nadeau "proclaimed that she was too upset to stay" and left.

"Our team made numerous and repeated attempts for this young man to stay and enjoy the performance," they said. " At no point was the party asked to leave the performance. The companion left with the young man on her own accord even though the manager on duty made every attempt to help accommodate them so they could stay and enjoy the performance."

The theater also said they are in communication with the young man's family.

The theater's post received more than 190 comments on social media.

One woman, a former aide, attended Wednesday's performance with her granddaughters and shared her own experience in a comment.

"We were sitting right across the aisle where the aide was sitting with this young man. Though no fault of his own, the laughing was often and very loud. It was definitely a distraction for all in the balcony, if not, in the whole theater," she commented.

Patch has reached out to both Jennifer Nadeau and The Argyle Theatre for comment.