The Midland Center for the Art’s SENSORY FRIENDLY Performance of JOSEPH

Sensory-Friendly Performance of JOSEPH 

The arts are a place where everyone should be welcome – welcome to experience a great story, a moving piece of music, take in or create great works of visual art. However, children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental disabilities, sensory processing disorder, PTSD, and other sensory sensitivities don’t always feel comfortable, especially in performing arts spaces, because of the restricted environment and expectations of other patrons and the performers. The Midland Center for the Arts is helping change that for families in the Great Lakes Bay area.

 This spring, in addition to the Center’s sensory-friendly Museum Morning on April 13, the Center will be offering a sensory-friendly performance of Center Stage Theater’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on May 11 at 3 PM.

This spring, in addition to the Center’s sensory-friendly Museum Morning on April 13, the Center will be offering a sensory-friendly performance of Center Stage Theater’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on May 11 at 3 PM. The family-friendly classic musical about Joseph, his brothers, and his multi-colored coat will feature the same actors and show content, but utilize small changes to create a welcoming and judgement-free environment. Accommodations to the theater-going experience include leaving the house lights on low, encouraging patrons to use manipulatives and calming devices in their seats, and supporting patrons in getting up and moving when they need to.

“Accessible programming the arts is long overdue,” says Katie Trzaska-Miller, the Center’s Manager of Community Engagement. “The power of the arts has been proven in study after study for audiences of all types, so there shouldn’t be any limits on who can attend a theater or music performance in any venue. Sensory-friendly performances are the first step to making all of our programming accessible to those with disabilities and sensory sensitivities.”

The Center will also host free Meet Your Seat Open Houses for families to check out the Center and the auditorium ahead of the show on May 2, and has created online resources, including a social narrative to help families prepare to attend the performance. Families interested in attending can learn more on the Center’s website or can call 989-631-5930.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs May 3 through 19 at the Midland Center for the Arts. More information and tickets are available at www.midlandcenter.org.

Purchase tickets to the CENTER STAGE THEATRE’ SENSORY FRIENDLY JOSEPH.