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
Magic Tree House's Holiday Musical:
A GHOST TALE FOR MR. DICKENS
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 be an intermission for this production.)
Magic Tree House's Holiday Musical:
A GHOST TALE FOR MR. DICKENS
November 17, 2018 at 1:30 PM - Magic Tree House, the #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time, premieres this large-scale, holiday-themed spectacular in Dallas! Be among the first to see brother and sister duo, Jack and Annie, whisked back in time aboard their magical tree ride to the foggy streets of Victorian England. Their mission: to help the famous writer Charles Dickens overcome a terrible bout of writer's block. With a little help from three ghost friends, Jack and Annie learn how charity and kindness can change the course of history. No "Bah Humbug" here...this musical is a fantasy adventure filled with wonderful songs and dances of the season!
Recommended for ages 6 and up
Join us for a season of great stories and fun adventures!
THE SNOWY DAY AND OTHER STORIES BY EZRA JACK KEATS
January 5, 2019 at 1:30 PM - Oh, the magic of childhood! Follow Peter and his friends as they enjoy the excitement of a fresh snowfall, the delight of whistling for the first time, the awe in finding a special treasure, and the feelings of a first crush. Packed with humor and fun, this production combines wonderfully innovative shadow puppetry and live action to showcase Keats' beautiful appreciation for diversity. In fact, his characters ultimately became an inspiration for Sesame Street! An adaptation of Whistle for Willie, Goggles!, A Letter to Amy, and the groundbreaking Caldecott Winner The Snowy Day, this uplifting story collection encourages us to play and live life to the fullest each day.
Recommended for ages 3 and up
ELLA ENCHANTED: THE MUSICAL
February 16, 2019 at 1:30 PM - Ella of Frell is turning the traditional Cinderella story upside down! At birth, she was given the "gift" of obedience which forces her to do anything people command: whether that's hopping on one foot all day or telling her best friend to just go away! As a teenager, strong-willed Ella chooses to reject this lifestyle as her fate and embarks on a quest to break the curse forever. Along the way, feisty Ella must outwit her evil stepsisters, escape hungry ogres, and save the prince before she can claim her real voice. In this fun and spirited musical extravaganza that stays true to the Newbery Honor book, children will discover the power of words while laughing, singing, and dancing out loud.
Recommended for ages 6 and up
TUCK EVERLASTING
March 23, 2019 at 1:30 PM - What if you could live forever? What if you were asked to keep a shocking secret? Young Winnie Foster suddenly finds herself faced with these dilemmas when she ventures from her routine one single summer morning. What she encounters at the foot of a magnificent tree in the woods on her family's land brings her face to face with monumental life choices. A romance, a new family, perhaps eternal life? What follows is a whirlwind of events and a life-affirming adventure that The New York Times called "fearsome and beautifully written." Considered one of the classics of modern children's literature, this poetic story comes intensely to life on the DCT stage.
Recommended for ages 10 and up
THE ISLAND OF THE SKOG
May 4, 2019 at 1:30 PM - The best laid plans of mice and well, Skog, are upended in this lively musical adventure that navigates land and sea. When Jenny and her mice friends grow weary of ravenous cats, noisy humans, and peril on the streets, they decide a new island paradise is the order of the day. Led by the surly Captain Bouncer, the Rough-riding Rowdies think they've hit the jackpot until they discover that a "giant" already has dibs on their newfound home. The Rowdies and Skog each devise a survival of the fittest plan that, in the end, only points out the flaws that come with assuming the worst and refusing to compromise. A delightfully charming and gentle story that brings to life the author's beloved illustrations and characters.
Recommended for ages 3 and up
DCT's NATIONAL TOURING PRODUCTION
DIARY OF A WORM, A SPIDER & A FLY
June 22, 2019 at 1:30 PM - The coolest ever rock-n-roll romp through a bug's world commands center stage in this hip-hoppin' musical that promotes eco-consciousness, earth science, and tolerance of others. The popular characters from the bestselling books are not so unusual: Worm eats his homework and has no legs. Fly has 327 siblings and wants to be a superhero. And Spider can't wait to grow up and molt. When Fly's Aunt Rita needs help getting out of a tight spot, the squad must combine their talents and work as a team on the rescue mission of a lifetime. While there's no pop quiz, you might just learn that a bug's life isn't that different from your own.
Recommended for ages 3 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
TREASURE ISLAND Reimagined! SOCIAL STORY
A pictorial guide with simple language explaining what can be expected when visiting the theater.
TREASURE ISLAND Reimagined! PARENT TIPSHEET
Specific details about the production.
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:
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