Sensory Friendly

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

12:30 PM    Pre-show activities begin
1:00 PM      Doors to the theater are opened
1:30 PM      Show begins

Sensory Shows Coming Up

Tickets on sale August 2nd!

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.

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.

Here's a sample of Family Resources from our 2022-2023 season:

C.S. Lewis' THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW SOCIAL STORY
A pictorial guide with simple language explaining what can be expected when visiting the theater.

C.S. Lewis' THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW PARENT TIPSHEET
Specific details about the production.


C.S. Lewis' THE MAGICIAN'S NEPHEW SYNOPSIS
A complete overview of what happens in the play.

FROM NORTH (VIA I-75)

Travel I-75 (Central) S and take the Northwest HWY Exit. Merge onto Northwest HWY East. Go approximately 1 mile. Take the Skillman North exit to the right. Go approximately 1/8 mile, turn RIGHT onto Theater Way.

FROM NORTH (VIA DALLAS NORTH TOLLWAY)

Travel South on the Dallas Tollway and take the Northwest HWY Exit. Travel East on Northwest HWY. Take the Skillman North exit to the right. Go approximately 1/8 mile, turn RIGHT onto Theater Way.

FROM NORTH (DENTON AREA)

Travel South on 35E and take the I-635 East exit. Travel East on I-635. Merge onto I-75 South towards Dallas. Exit Northwest HWY East. Go approximately 1 mile. Take the Skillman North exit to the right. Go approximately 1/8 mile, turn RIGHT onto Theater Way.

FROM GARLAND AREA

Travel South on Garland Ave / TX 78 S. Continue to follow TX-78 S. Turn Slight Right onto E Northwest HWY/ TX-244 Spur West. Turn Right onto North Skillman. Go approximately 1/8 mile, turn RIGHT onto Theater Way.

FROM DOWNTOWN (VIA I-75)

Travel I-75 (Central) N and take the Northwest HWY Exit. Merge onto Northwest HWY East. Go approximately 1 mile. Take the Skillman North exit to the right. Go approximately 1/8 mile, turn RIGHT onto Theater Way.

FROM EAST (MESQUITE AREA)

Travel I-30 West (R.L. Thorton) and take the I-75 North exit. From I-75 N take the Northwest Hwy Exit. Merge onto Northwest HWY East. Go approximately 1 mile. Take the Skillman North Exit to the right. Go approximately 1/8 mile, turn RIGHT onto Theater Way.

FROM SOUTH (OAK CLIFF AREA)

Travel I-30 East and take the I-75 North exit. Continue down I-75 N and take the Northwest Hwy Exit. Merge onto Northwest HWY East. Go approximately 1 mile. Take the Skillman North Exit to the RIGHT. Go approximately 1/8 mile, turn RIGHT onto Theater Way.



Sensory-Friendly Classes now available at DCT.

Have questions? Contact Gina Waits at: 214-978-0110 or gina.waits@dct.org

Sensory-Friendly Sponsor includes:

Julie Ronk

I LOVE that you are doing this play with sensory integration!!!! It gave me a lump in my throat! For those with disabilities and their parents this is a dream. A place to take our children where they will fit in or at least be understood and accepted is rare... even these days when you think it would not be. Parents can actually share family time out of their homes, without constant tension and worrying how their child will react... or how the public will react, is such a help for so many. I will spread the word... THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Julie Ronk

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Patricia W. Robbins

This urge to avoid judgment affects family get-togethers, neighborhood gatherings, scouting, worship, school, dance classes, athletics and all the wonderful, enriching activities that other families are able to navigate. So most often, they all stay home. Knowing that organizations, such as DCT, care enough to make special efforts to include them can be life changing! If they find that they can plan and successfully attend a theater performance, JUST IMAGINE!

Patricia W. Robbins

- Special Needs Advocate
Jill Rowlett

I LOVE that you are doing this play with sensory integration!!!! It gave me a lump in my throat! For those with disabilities and their parents this is a dream. A place to take our children where they will fit in or at least be understood and accepted is rare... even these days when you think it would not be. Parents can actually share family time out of their homes, without constant tension and worrying how their child will react... or how the public will react, is such a help for so many. I will spread the word... THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Jill Rowlett

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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!​​​​​​​

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