Aurora’s Paramount Theatre will offer its first-ever sensory-friendly performance, with a specially modulated performance of Disney’s “Frozen the Broadway Musical” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Sensory-friendly performances help create an enjoyable live arts experience for patrons who have autism or other social, cognitive and physical challenges that create sensory sensitivities for them, according to a press release about the upcoming special performance at the Paramount, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora.
A pre-show welcome, modifications to lights and sound effects, a quiet space in the lobby for breaks and sensory kits on request will be offered on Jan. 15 to relax events on stage and in the theater so more sensitive patrons can fully enjoy the show with their families and caregivers, theater officials said.
During the performance, comfort objects will be welcome and audience motion will not be discouraged, according to the release.
To help prepare individuals on the autism spectrum, children with sensory needs or those with other support needs to better understand the upcoming performance, the Paramount has created a step-by-step guide to attending a show at the theater called a “Social Story,” available as a free download at paramountaurora.com/visit/#accessibility.
“Providing a social story in advance can be key to ensuring a positive experience, especially if they are going to a place that is unknown to them,” said Hollis Sienkiewicz, senior marketing director for the Paramount Theatre, in the release. “A social story can also be helpful for anyone anticipating their first theatrical experience, including parents, caretakers and teachers who want to share it with a child or group of children to help them get an advance mental picture of what their experience at Paramount Theatre will be like.”
For tickets to the sensory-friendly performance of Disney’s “Frozen the Broadway Musical,” go to www.paramountaurora.com or contact the Paramount Theatre Box Office at 630-896-6666.
The Paramount Theatre will also offer its usual lineup of access performances of Disney’s “Frozen the Broadway Musical” for patrons who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have vision loss, officials said.
The upcoming events include a pre-show touch tour and audio description for patrons who are blind or have low vision at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4.
There will be open captioning for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing during a show at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8. The open captioning setup includes an LED screen close to the stage, where text from the script and lyrics from musical numbers can be read on the screen in sync with the show, officials said.
American Sign Language interpretation for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing will be offered at a performance at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10.
During this show, patrons are seated in close proximity to two certified ASL sign language interpreters who translate all dialogue and lyrics into American Sign Language in real time at the performance
Disney’s “Frozen the Broadway Musical” is running through Jan. 19 at the Paramount Theatre.
