With the mission of inspiring young people to creative and productive lives through the art of the theater, DCT is now proud to be able to create a positive, fun atmosphere for families with sensory friendly needs. A child with autism or some other sensory challenge who loves theater and the arts will be excited about this new program at DCT and, hopefully, with the transformational experience of theater, will be inspired to creatively contribute to the world and their community in their own way.

Performances

We are so pleased to be able to offer you these specially-adapted plays for the enjoyment of those with sensory needs. Throughout the course of the year, Dallas Children's Theater will present a variety of plays from which you can choose.  Some stories, especially fairy tales, may be disturbing to some children, for example, the villain or conflict in the story.  If you desire more specific detail about how the story is presented, don't hesitate to call us.

Next Sensory-Friendly Performance Day Schedule

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR CHRISTMAS SHOW

12:30pm - 1:30pm Optional pre-show activities such as facepainting, clown performances, music therapy and others.
 Participate at whatever level is best for your family
1:00pm Doors to the theater are opened
1:30pm Show begins
(There WILL NOT be an intermission for this production.)

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR CHRISTMAS SHOW

November 16, 2019 at 1:30 PM - And he was still hungry! So...the Very Hungry Caterpillar came back to Dallas. During the 2019 holiday season, the whole family can make their way to a happy place thanks to a new collection of stories brought to life from beloved children's author/illustrator Eric Carle. Enjoy Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?;10 Little Rubber Ducks; Dream Snow; and of course, a reprisal of The Very Hungry Caterpillar - now celebrating its 50th birthday! Filled with colorful puppets and adorable animals, this extraordinary spectacle is pure holiday magic, and sure to be a sellout, so buy your tickets early! Enjoyed by all ages

Sensory Shows Coming Up Next Season

SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE!

February 15, 2020 at 1:30 PM - If you were a kid from the early 70s to mid 80s when this series was first on TV, or in the mid 90s when it ran again; you owe it to yourself to go back in time to the good old days. Relive how fun learning English, history, science, and math was thanks to Saturday morning television and this pop culture phenomenon! There's no time like the present to start teaching the rest of the family such megahits as Conjunction Junction, Just A Bill, Three Is A Magic Number, and others so everyone can be a part of the show! Join nervous school teacher Tom, and all of those crazy cartoon characters, for a turn-up-the-volume blast you won't soon forget! Recommended for ages 5 and up

LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET

March 28, 2020 at 1:30 PM - On a Sunday after church in a bustling, ethnically and culturally diverse American city, CJ and his Nana board the public bus for their weekly trip across town to help out at a soup kitchen. Along the way, CJ notices the many differences among people and asks tons of curious questions: Why don't we have a car? How come that man can't see? How come it's always so dirty over there? How?...Why?...With Nana's fearless and compassionate guidance, CJ discovers that everyone and everything has a unique rhythm and purpose; that the world's got answers if we listen with more than our ears and see with more than our eyes. This inspiring and imaginative play is based on The New York Times bestseller that won a Newbery Medal, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, and a Caldecott Honor. Recommended for ages 4 and up

BALLOONACY

April 25, 2020 at 1:30 PM & 4:30 PM - Guess what? It's The Old Man's birthday! And the entire audience is invited to celebrate. The Old Man lives a quiet, solitary life. That is, until a mischievous red balloon blows through his window looking for a friend. The wonder and magic of play take centerstage in this charming show packed with hilarious antics and delightful surprises. Great for short attention spans and the wee ones, this uplifting and interactive experience shows how, with a little imagination, companionship is everywhere. Recommended for squirmy toddlers and their families

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

May 9, 2020 at 1:30 PM - One of the most celebrated books in children's literature and the #1 most requested DCT play returns to the stage to create a remarkable world of magic. Join young adventurers Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy as they step through the not so ordinary wardrobe and into the mythical land of C.S. Lewis' Narnia. Facing fantastic creatures and fierce battles in the heart and on the land, the four siblings must find the courage to battle the treacherous White Witch in order to end the deadly eternal winter in the beautiful forest. Guided by the all-knowing Lion, Aslan, these discoverers learn to cast aside their own fears to find the heroes within themselves. Recommended for ages 7 and up

DCT's NATIONAL TOURING PRODUCTION

MISS NELSON HAS A FIELD DAY

June 27, 2020 at 1:30 PM - Are you ready for some football?! Well...don't look to the Horace B. Smedley Tornadoes for a win because they've never even scored a single point! With an unfocused team that won't change their attitudes, Coach Armstrong goes crazy. So, Miss Nelson, the school's favorite teacher, calls in a trusted, but highly feared reinforcement in this zany musical spectacular. The bold and intimidating Coach Viola Swamp whips the Tornadoes into shape just in time for the big rivalry game. Ready. Set. Hut! Recommended for ages 5 and up

Sensory Show Adaptations

General production adaptations include leaving the house lights up a few levels higher than for a standard performance and reducing the sound level. We also offer a "Quiet Room" for children who need a break.

There will be some fun and engaging activities presented before the play, so plan to come as early as one hour before the show.

To Purchase Tickets

DCT wants to make sure families have no barriers that would prevent them from at least sampling these great opportunities created especially for them! Tickets are $5 per person. Regular DCT show prices range from $15 to $30.

To purchase tickets, please call the DCT Box Office at 214-740-0051. Seating for the sensory-friendly performance will be general admission. If someone in your group needs wheelchair accessible seating, please contact us at least 24 hours in advance so that we can ensure your time here at DCT is organized and well spent.

Family Resources

Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST SOCIAL STORY
A pictorial guide with simple language explaining what can be expected when visiting the theater.

Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST PARENT TIPSHEET
Specific details about the production.

Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST SHOW SYNOPSIS
A complete overview of what happens in the play.

Want to arrange a pre-visit to the theater or have additional questions? Contact Gina Waits at: 214-978-0110 or gina.waits@dct.org

In 2014, Dallas Children's Theater was honored to be a participant in the Audience (R)Evolution Program, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and administered by Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the professional not-for-profit American theater. Autism Speaks provided a grant to DCT to document our pilot year of sensory-friendly performances [Download report here]. Local partners for this initiative included Autism Speaks, the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at UT Southwestern, University of North Texas Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences and the Health Science Center and the Autism Center, Children's Medical Center and the Dallas Museum of Art. As a result of the first-year results, we were further honored with a three-year grant from The Crystal Charity Ball to continue this work!

DCT is making an impact on families with special needs!

Through three performances, here were the amazing cumulative sensory-friendly performance measurements and results: