THE SENSORY-INCLUSIVE SERIES WELCOMES AUDIENCES WITH SPECIALLY TAILORED THEATER
Published: Nov 22, 2023
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts and The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center have announced the Sensory-Inclusive Series 2023/2024 that creates a welcoming and supportive environment for children and adults on the autism spectrum as well as individuals with other sensitivity issues or developmental disabilities.
Slight adjustments have been made to the production including reduced sound levels, no flashing or strobe lights and minimal special effects. An area adjacent to the theater has been designated as the ABA Centers of Florida Sensory Quiet Room with a specially trained therapist to provide audience support.
Patrons may bring their own headphones, fidgets and other calming items into the theater. The Broward Center also offers sensory-bags for all performances at Broward Center and the Parker, that contain noise cancelling headphones, sunglasses, fidgets, and sunglasses clips to accommodate families that might be overwhelmed by the lights, sounds, and crowds. Sensory-bags can be requested at the front of house desk.
Admission to sensory-inclusive performances in the Amaturo Theater includes complimentary pre-show arts and crafts activities provided by Young at Art Museum. Audiences enjoy a post-show meet and greet with cast members after every sensory-inclusive performance. Ticket buyers will receive an email prior to the performance with a link to a character guide and short video about attending the theater.
The Broward Center's sensory-inclusive programming is made possible through the generous support of ABA Centers of Florida, The Batchelor Foundation, Florida Support Autism Program License Plate, The Gore Family Memorial Foundation Trust, Nicklaus Children's Hospital and The Taft Foundation with special thanks to UM-NSU CARD for their in-kind support.
The Tales of Custard the Dragon begins the series in the Abdo New River Room at the Broward Center on Saturday, November 18 at 11 a.m. Based on the whimsical stories by Ogden Nash, this musical tale follows the exploits of young Belinda and her three boastfully brave pets, Mustard the Dog, Ink the Cat and Blink the Mouse, and one not-so-brave dragon, Custard. Audiences will treasure Custard's discovery that you can be brave, even when you are afraid, and that real courage comes from love.
Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida is proud to present a "sensory-inclusive" dance performance of the holiday classic ballet The Nutcracker at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center on Saturday, December 9 at 11 a.m. With dancers of all ages, colorful costumes and breathtaking music, this modified, 60-minute abridged performance celebrates the magic of the season and serves as wonderful introduction to the ballet. Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida is donating proceeds from this performance to SOVENIA USA.
Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney’s The Little Mermaid delivers a theatrical holiday treat at the Broward Center on Saturday, December 23 at 1:30 p.m. Slow Burn Theatre Company entertains audiences with this splashy musical extravaganza in the Amaturo Theater that puts the “sea” in the holiday season with a love story for the ages. Ariel, King Triton's youngest daughter, wishes to pursue the human Prince Eric in the world above, she bargains with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs, but the bargain is not what it seems. With music by eight-time Academy Award® winner, Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and a compelling book by Doug Wright, the musical features irresistible songs including "Under the Sea," "Kiss the Girl" and "Part of Your World."
Stages Productions revives Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale of The Ugly Duckling in a brand new musical presented in the Abdo New River Room at the Broward Center on Sunday, February 4 at 11 a.m. Born bigger and different than the other hatchlings, the ugly duckling is ridiculed by his brothers and sisters, rejected by the other ducks and eventually shunned by the entire barnyard. The little bird leaves home, embarking on a rollicking journey through hecklers, hunters and hilarious hi-jinks only to discover that the beauty he was seeking was inside him all along.
Brazilian Voices “Quiet Bossa” comes to the Abdo New River Room at the Broward Center on Saturday, March 17 at 11 a.m. With familiar songs intended to soothe and inspire, this one-hour musical experience features the voices of the group’s award-winning female singers, light percussion and guitar. The program includes Bossa Nova favorites like “The Girl from Ipanema,” “Summer Samba” (“Samba de verão”) and “Mas que Nada” as well as American standards “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Isn’t She Lovely” and “Happy.” To encourage participation, Brazilian Voices will share egg-shaped musical shakers that the audience may keep to carry the music home.
Outspoken, precocious, lovable Junie B. Jones stars in a sensory-inclusive performance offered on Saturday, April 20 at 11 a.m. in the Amaturo Theater at the Broward Center. This colorful, funny, fast-paced musical includes new friends, new glasses, sugar cookies, the annual kickball tournament and other various first-grade, angst-ridden situations. This musical is based on four volumes in Barbara Park's Junie B. Jones series of books.
The Sensory-Inclusive Series presents The Magic of Kevin Spencer in the Abdo New River Room at the Broward Center on Saturday, April 27 at 11 a.m. Featuring award-winning magician Kevin Spencer, this fun-filled show that combines storytelling, stage magic and audience participation.
Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of The Broward Center and The Parker. Buy tickets online at ParkerPlayhouse.com and Ticketmaster.com; by phone at 954.462.0222; and in person at the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office.
The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at 3385 N.E. 188 Street in Aventura. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is an affiliated venue of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, which provides programming and management of the facility.
The Broward Center 2023/2024 season is supported by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation. AutoNation, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, Spirit and UHealth University of Miami Health System. Programs are also sponsored in part by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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About The Broward Center for the Performing Arts
One of America’s premier performing arts venues, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents more than 700 performances each year to more than 700,000 patrons, showcasing a wide range of exciting cultural programming and events. Guest experiences at the Broward Center include the all-inclusive Spirit Club Level and UHealth-University of Miami Health System Intermezzo Lounge, special events in the Huizenga Pavilion, waterfront dining at Marti’s New River Bistro and innovative classes and workshops for all ages at the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center. With one of the largest arts-in-education programs in the United States, the Broward Center serves more than 100,000 students annually. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit BrowardCenter.org.