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
John Steptoe's MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS: AN AFRICAN TALE
12:30 PM
Pre-show activities begin
1:00 PM Doors to the theater are opened
1:30 PM Show begins
September 30 at 1:30 PM - In a spectacular tribute to DCT founder and inaugural show director, Robyn Flatt, the beautiful Zimbabwe-based Cinderella tale returns to open DCT's 40th season. 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
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
November 18 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 fills your heart with music, merriment, and warmth, Charles Schulz's classic special makes you nostalgic for days gone by. Button up your coat, and meet us on the ice as the Baker Theater becomes a most awesome skating rink!
Recommended for ages 5 and up
Mo Willems' ELEPHANT & PIGGIE'S "WE ARE IN A PLAY!"
February 3, 2024 at 1:30 PM - Mo Willems, author and creator of the #1 New York Times bestselling, Caldecott Honor award-winning Elephant & Piggie and Pigeon picture books, is at it again with ELEPHANT & PIGGIE'S "WE ARE IN A PLAY!". Get ready for the play to end all plays - led by two best friends - with very different perspectives. The ever-upbeat Piggie is thrilled to be on stage, while Elephant is a bit busy hoping nothing goes "terribly, horribly, best-friendship endingly wrong" during the duration of the performance. He's getting there... Anything can happen in this goofy, heartfelt show that is sure to have audiences laughing hard.
Recommended for ages 3 and up
LIFE DOESN'T FRIGHTEN ME: I AM FEARLESS ROYALTY
March 23, 2024 at 1:30 PM - "Shadows on the wall / Noises down the hall / Life doesn't frighten me at all" begins Dr. Maya Angelou's famous poem which serves as the foundation for Paige Hernandez's LIFE DOESN'T FRIGHTEN ME: I AM FEARLESS ROYALTY. This play, co-commissioned by Children's Theatre of Charlotte, Dallas Children's Theater, The Rose Theater of Omaha, and Children's Theater of Madison, stars four heroes as they conquer their fears using heart, soul, body, and mind. With original music from Grammy-nominated Kris Funn and themes inspired by actual students across the country, this show is a moving multicultural performing arts experience that reminds everyone that LIFE DOESN'T FRIGHTEN ME: I AM FEARLESS ROYALTY.
Recommended for ages 5 and up
C.S. Lewis' THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW
May 4, 2024 at 1:30 PM - In this prequel to C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, young Digory wants nothing more than to save his ailing mother. When Digory's eccentric, bumbling magician uncle tricks him and his neighbor Polly into a world between worlds, they accidentally awaken Jadis, an evil queen who sets her sights on their own home of London. Realism and fantasy collide in this classic adventure story of good versus evil. Mythical kingdoms and deep magic await, and Narnia is born!
Recommended for ages 7 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
John Steptoe's MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS: AN AFRICAN TALE SOCIAL STORY
A pictorial guide with simple language explaining what can be expected when visiting the theater.
John Steptoe's MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS: AN AFRICAN TALE PARENT TIPSHEET
Specific details about the production.
John Steptoe's MUFARO'S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS: AN AFRICAN TALE 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:
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