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

12:30pm - 1:30pm Optional pre-show activities including facepainting, clown performances and other activities
 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.)

DCT'S NATIONAL TOURING PRODUCTION
JOHN STEPTOE'S

MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS: AN AFRICAN TALE

July 8, 2017 at 1:30 PM - The beautiful Zimbabwe-based Cinderella tale returns! An African villager named Mufaro has two daughters whom everyone agrees are beautiful. But, they have their differences. Manyara possesses a bad temper and is self-centered (but never in front of Mufaro); Nyasha is kind and considerate to people and to animals. When Mufaro learns that the King is in the process of meeting all of the most worthy and beautiful women in order to choose a wife, he decides that both of his daughters should go. Celebrate goodness, generosity, and love with traditional dancing, rhythmic drumming, and glorious African song. Based on the 1988 Caldecott Honor Award book. Recommended for ages 5 and up

Sensory Shows Coming Up

We are so excited for our upcoming sensory-friendly shows for the new 2017-2018 season! Tickets for GOOSEBUMPS will go on sale August 1st, and the shows for the rest of the season will be available for purchase on September 1st. Join us for a season of great characters and fun adventures!

GOOSEBUMPS THE MUSICAL: PHANTOM OF THE AUDITORIUM

October 14, 2017 at 1:30 PM - The haphazard detective work of Scooby Doo meets the witty banter of Glee in this frighteningly fun musical based on the beloved Goosebumps series. Brooke and Zeke are starring in their school play … The Phantom. (Yep—it's a spoof of the Broadway musical!) When strange things start to happen during rehearsals, no one is sure if it's a practical joke or if the school's theater is haunted. Wear your favorite costume and bring the entire family to this silly, and only a little spooky, adventure. Recommended for ages 7 and up

FROSTY AND FRIENDS

December 2, 2017 at 1:30 PM - Kathy Burks' celebrated troupe warms hearts with the endearing tale of Frosty, a lonely frozen figure hoping to make a difference during the season of giving. Frosty is sad when his elf friends Barry, Surly, and Zoe become too busy to even play in the snow! Fortunately, Frosty meets a kind snowy owl and a friendly reindeer who are more than happy to spend the cold winter days with his gentle soul. Revel in the joy of the holidays as this spirited musical revue comes to life. Recommended for ages 4 and up

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

December 2, 2017 at 1:30 PM - We're fortunate that Christmastime means Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Snoopy, and friends are back at DCT by popular demand! Rediscover the true reason for the season while sharing laughs with the Peanuts Gang along the way. As a live combo bands fills your heart with merriment and warmth, Charles Schulz's classic special makes you nostalgic for days gone by. Button up you coat, and meet us outside on the ice! Recommended for ages 5 and up

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW

February 17, 2018 at 1:30 PM - The illustrations of beloved children's author Eric Carle leap from the page to the stage in a display of color and artistry like you've never seen before in this Southwest premiere. Visit the worlds of The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse, Mister Seahorse, The Very Lonely Firefly and of course, the star of the show - The Very Hungry Caterpillar. DCT audiences are among the first to experience the larger-than-life world of 75 loveable puppets from London's hit show in a performance that will delight and captivate people of all ages.
Enjoyed by all ages

YANA WANA'S LEGEND OF THE BLUEBONNET

March 24, 2018 at 1:30 PM - Ten-year-old María is having trouble in school, so her mom sends her to stay with her Coahuiltecan grandmother in distant Laredo for discipline and perspective. There, María is told an ancient story of young Yana Wana who followed a revered deer to find water to save her people. Yana Wana's story exposes an amazing and unknown ancestral connection to the bluebonnet that gives María a renewed sense of self and family pride. You may have read one version in school; now we invite you to come see the legend through the eyes of Yana Wana in this world premiere. A beautiful, original play that illustrates the power of heritage and the value of one's own story - especially one as ancient as the petroglyphs of Texas.
Recommended for ages 6 and up

JUNGALBOOK

May 5, 2018 at 1:30 PM - See Kipling's original 1894 coming of age tale brought to the stage, and join Mowgli in learning the moral lessons of home, betrayal, life and death, and loyalty. Mowgli lives in the jungle surrounded by panthers, bears, wolves, snakes, and tigers. They are his protectors, and he believes he is one of them. When Mowgli comes face to face with a fearsome tiger, he is forced to choose between his bond with the jungle and the reality of his humanness. This classic story of the struggle for survival and a place that feels like home will have audiences on the edge of their seats. Recommended for ages 5 and up

BLUE

May 5, 2018 at 1:30 PM - Dallas Children's Theater is proud to be part of the national effort to introduce more toddler-friendly theater experiences. A growing body of research speaks to the benefits of theater for the very young. BLUE is returning to the schedule as part of this initiative while additional new works for these audiences continue to be developed.

Pale Blue and Inky Blue are very happy in their blueness. When a red sock enters their kitchen, Pale and Inky AND the audience are surprised by the way their world is turned upside down. This play introduces the idea of acceptance in an age-appropriate, soft-hearted theatrical experience. It is filled with fun, humor, and whimsy—and at the end of the show, you will be too! Recommended for squirmy toddlers and their families

DCT'S NATIONAL TOURING PRODUCTION

HOW I BECAME A PIRATE

July 7, 2018 at 1:30 PM - Sail off on a swashbuckling musical excursion with Jeremy Jacobs and his new pirate friends who are searching for a place to bury their treasure. Onboard the ship, Jeremy travels to new worlds while learning the rules of pirate life. But it isn't long before he misses his family and yearns for someone to tuck him in at night back home. A story of adventure and finding one's own heart—a path that can't be found on any map! 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 $13 to $28.

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

MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS: AN AFRICAN TALE SOCIAL STORY -
A pictorial guide with simple language explaining what can be expected when visiting the theater.

MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS: AN AFRICAN TALE 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: