Upcoming: Sensory Friendly Theatre in November at Union County PAC!

Max and Ruby: A Musical Playdate

This November, Union County's Sensory Friendly Theatre series will present two wonderful shows at the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) Mainstage, located at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway. 

On Sunday, November 10, the theatre will present two performances (1st show at 1:00 pm and 2nd show at 2:30 pm) of Max and Ruby: A Musical Playdate, based on the popular book series (and animated children's show) by Rosemary Wells. 

On Sunday, November 24, the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, will be performed by the American Repertory Ballet at 1:00 pm.

American Repertory Ballet: The Nutcracker

Tickets for these events are $8.00 and may be purchased by calling the UCPAC box office at (732) 499-8226 or by visiting the website at: ucpac.org/sensory-friendly-theatre.

As Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski has noted, “The Sensory Friendly Theatre allows residents, families, and children to all of the excitement that comes with live theatre while feeling comfortable in an environment tailored to their specific needs.” Click here to read the complete release. 

Below is some background on the series, an initiative of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, begun under the direction of Freeholder Alexander Mirabella in 2012, along with notes on what to expect and what to keep in mind during the show:

For each of the Sensory Friendly performances, the environment at the Union County Performing Arts Center is adjusted to provide a sensory-friendly, comfortable and judgment-free space that is welcoming for all families. Autism Friendly Spaces implements the supportive atmosphere at the performances. 

What to expect at a Sensory Friendly Theatre event:

1. Each performance runs 60 minutes from start to finish, with no intermission.

2. Seating is general admission and a limited number of tickets will be sold to maintain a comfortably-sized audience.

3. Lights will remain up inside the theater auditorium.

4. Sound volume will be lowered and remain constant to prevent abrupt, jarring sounds.

Things to keep in mind during a Sensory Friendly Theatre event:

1. Children are free to talk and vocalize as they wish!

2. Children may only leave their seats with parental or guardian supervision.

3. A private area will be available in the UCPAC cafe where children and their families can relax.

4. Fidget and stress-sensory toys will be available for children to borrow for the performance.

5. Professional Autism specialists will be available throughout the performance to provide assistance if need be.

6. A printable copy of the "This Is My Theatre" Social Story Picture Packet may be downloaded here. Families are encouraged to use this packet to help acquaint their children with the experience of going to a live performance.