Children’s Theatre Company is expanding their Sensory Friendly Programming! Keep reading to learn more about the resources they can provide to patrons and their families!
Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis has been creating children’s art for over 50 years. We have been attending shows for the last year or so and it’s been interesting to learn more about their sensory friendly opportunities. Sometimes it can feel intimidating or difficult for me to get my kiddo with sensory needs to the theatre, but all of the resources provided by Children’s Theatre Company really help get us there!
Let’s start before you even buy your tickets to a show. Did you know Children’s Theatre Company has a Meet the Seat program? You can come into the theatre, check out your seat and the other spaces on a different day than the show you will attend. This is amazing for kiddos that like to check out where they are going and it could help calm nerves for the day of. All you have to do to schedule a Meet the Seat visit is email Senior Audience Experience Manager D’aniel Stock at dstock@childrenstheatre.org.
Did you know Children’s Theatre Company works with Fraser to create the best sensory friendly environment? There is a social story you can check out about coming to the show to prepare your kiddos. I find social stories to be so powerful for my child! In addition, there is a social narrative made for each and every production that’s available online about a week before the show run begins. I love these because they provide a lot of context for the show.
Up next– the show! Children’s Theatre Company recently added another sensory friendly performance to each production so now there are two chances to see almost every show this season. What can you expect at a sensory friendly performance? The house lights are left on low, the sound is lower, extra on-site Fraser volunteers, access to the Take-A-Break Space or the Quiet Room and fidgets, headphones, ect. are allowed in the theatre.
There is also something really cool that Children’s Theatre does for their sensory friendly performances: Glow Stick Moments. When there is a moment in the show that cannot be changed due to artistic integrity, a staff member raises a glow stick before the moment so patrons have the opportunity to leave the stage or look away during that moment that could possibly cause disregulation.
The Glow Stick Moments are identified and discussed by Children’s Theatre Company Staff and Fraser Staff during early previews of the production. As a parent, it’s amazing to see these organizations working together to provide such wonderful awareness and theatre accessibility for everyone.
Upcoming Sensory-Friendly Performances at Children’s Theatre Company:
- Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, recommended for all ages, Friday, January 3rd at 7pm.
- Leonardo! A Wonderful Show about a Terrible Monster, recommended for younger audiences, Friday, February 14th at 7pm and Friday, March 7th at 7pm.
- Milo Imagines the World, recommended for all ages, Friday, March 7th at 7pm.
- Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical, recommended for all ages, Friday, May 23rd at 7pm and Friday, June 13th at 7pm.
You can find a list of all Sensory-Friendly resources on the Children’s Theatre Company website. I’m thrilled that Children’s Theatre Company is creating a welcoming environment for all theatre goers! I hope that more organizations start to offer such empowering resources.
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Hannah is a married mom of 3 kiddos in the Twin Cities. Born and raised here in MN, she loves finding deals and special events to share with others.
Hannah enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading books, going on road trips up north, singing along with the radio and finding new thrift stores to shop! Hannah is also a fierce advocate for people with disabilities and is always on the lookout for more sensory friendly opportunities in the Twin Cities.
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