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.

Next Sensory-Friendly Event

Harry Connick, Jr.'s THE HAPPY ELF

12:30 PM Pre-show activities begin

1:00 PM Doors to the theater are opened

1:30 PM Show begins

December 3 at 1:30 PM - From the Grammy-winning musician, Harry Connick, Jr....this jazz musical is sure to get you in the holiday spirit! Eubie is, much to the exhaustion of his coworkers, an elf of unparalleled and endless energy looking to get a spot on Santa's coveted sleigh team. When his unstoppably sunny spirit comes into contact with the miserable town of Bluesville - where every single child is on the naughty list - he's in for the shock of a lifetime. Will his relentless positive attitude be enough to turn this gloomy place around, or has the happiest elf in the North Pole finally met his match?
Recommended for ages 5 and up

Sensory Shows Coming Up

DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL!

February 4, 2023 at 1:30 PM - The Pigeon is having a bit of an identity crisis - he never gets to do ANYTHING, and people just want him to "fly off". Everything changes when the confident, cool Bus Driver rolls into town, and the Pigeon finds himself with a brand new goal: DRIVE THE BUS! But, is it even possible? Time to find out! Written by Mo Willems: creator of the #1 New York Times bestselling, Caldecott Honor award-winning Pigeon picture books...this zany show is ready to take audiences for the ride of their lives!
Recommended for ages 3 and up

LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET

March 25, 2023 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

CHARLOTTE'S WEB

May 6, 2023 at 1:30 PM - The best-loved children's story of all time and winner of The Newbery Honor! Discover the true meaning of friendship and life's everyday miracles. Get caught in Charlotte's web to save Wilbur, the "radiant" and "humble" pig, and make friends once again with all his loveable barnyard neighbors. One of the first books ever written for children exploring issues of mortality, CHARLOTTE'S WEB is an emotional tribute to friendship with universal themes depicting courage, compassion and the ever-changing cycle of life.
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.

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 $10 to $40.

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

Harry Connick, Jr.'s THE HAPPY ELF SOCIAL STORY
A pictorial guide with simple language explaining what can be expected when visiting the theater.

Harry Connick, Jr.'s THE HAPPY ELF PARENT TIPSHEET
Specific details about the production.

Harry Connick, Jr.'s THE HAPPY ELF SYNOPSIS
A complete overview of what happens in the play.

Have 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: