Sensory-Friendly Performances
Modified productions welcoming individuals with sensory needs — including people on the autism spectrum, first-time theatergoers, and young children. The story doesn’t change; the experience around it does.
Program Overview
A Sensory-Friendly Performance is a standard Encore production performed with adjustments that lower the sensory load and welcome audience members who would otherwise find a traditional theatrical environment overwhelming.
Accommodations
- Patron movement welcome during the performance. Audience members can move around, stim, or take breaks without disrupting the show.
- Specially trained staff and performers. Front of House team and the cast prepared for the modified environment.
- Modified lighting and sound levels. Lower volume on sound cues (especially sudden loud effects). Softer or partial house lights kept on so the room doesn’t go fully dark. No strobe effects.
- Safe, non-judgmental environment. Talking, moving, leaving and returning are welcome. No shushing.
- Sensory break spaces available. A designated area in the building where audience members can take breaks.
Pre-show resources (social stories, photo guides of the venue) are typically shared with families in advance so they can preview the experience.
Who’s Involved
- Director of Education typically owns the accessibility program.
- Director approves the modifications to the show.
- Stage Manager runs the modified cue list.
- Sound Designer and Light Designer prepare alternate cue tracks.
- Front of House and trained volunteers welcome audiences.
- Specialized volunteers — see Sensory-Friendly Performance Assistants in Volunteer Integration.
Where This Lives in the Production Process
Sensory-Friendly Performances are scheduled as part of the production run — typically one performance per production. They appear in the production calendar from 1 - Inception, get adjusted cues during 5 - Pre-Tech / 6 - Technical Rehearsals, and are flagged in 7 - Performance as a special performance type.
Related
- Director of Education
- Volunteer Integration — describes Sensory-Friendly Performance Assistants
- Front of House
- 7 - Performance — phase where these are scheduled
Status: Working · Portal: Public · Last reviewed: 2026-05-11 · Owner: Rhett