DreamWrights to Present DOCTOR DOLITTLE as Part of Sensory-Friendly Series, Begin. 5/9

In honor of National Autism Awareness Month, DreamWrights Youth and Family Theatre has launched a new Sensory-Friendly Series to make its performances more accessible to children and adults with autism or sensory sensitivities. Productions in the new series will include one sensory-friendly performance within the show schedule. The first production to be included in this new series is Doctor Dolittle which runs from May 9-25.

Doctor Dolittle Show Dates and Times:

· May 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 6:30 p.m. - Traditional Performances

· May 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 2:30 p.m. - Traditional Performances

· May 17 at 2:30 p.m. - Audio Described Performance 1:30 - Touch Tour

· May 18 at 2:30 p.m. - Sensory-Friendly Performance

· May 24 at 9:00 a.m. - Playlet Character Breakfast including breakfast with the show characters and a shortened performance for ages 3 to 6

Doctor Dolittle Sensory-Friendly Series "Meet Your Seat" Event:

· May 14 at 6:00 p.m.

As a part of the new Sensory-Friendly Series, the Doctor Dolittle production will include a "Meet Your Seat" event on May 14 at 6:00 p.m. and a sensory-friendly performance of the Doctor Dolittle show on May 18 at 2:30 p.m.

The "Meet Your Seat" event will offer children and adults with Autism the opportunity to see the theatre, tour the lobby, pick their seat for the show, and experience purchasing concessions in advance of actually attending a performance. Pre-registration is not required for the "Meet Your Seat" event and this public event is FREE to attend.

The sensory-friendly performance on May 18 at 2:30 p.m. will include small customizations to make the show more enjoyable for those with sensory sensitivities in ways that do not disrupt the show for other audience members. The sensory-friendly performance will avoid turning the theatre completely dark and will provide physical cues to warn the audience before a loud noise takes place. In addition, if members of the audience need a break from the show, there will be a quiet room to the side of the theatre where guests can continue to watch the show on a monitor in a calmer setting.

"The goal of the Sensory-Friendly Series is to reduce the amount of anxiety those who have autism may experience when coming to a show at DreamWrights," said Shannon Hallisey, director of education at DreamWrights. "The combination of the "Meet Your Seat" event and our new sensory-friendly performances mean that Dr. Dolittle and future shows will be more accessible for those with special needs, and that's critically important to us."

The Doctor Dolittle show, which includes 72 performers ranging in age from 7 to 68 years old, will be the first DreamWrights performance to be included in the new Sensory-Friendly Series. The show will bring to life the 94-year-old children's story of Doctor Dolittle whose talent of speaking to animals leads him to travel to Africa to aid in saving the seriously ill monkey population. Upon their return from Africa, Doctor Dolittle and his family of animals join a circus in an attempt to earn enough to pay their debts. The story will come to life for audience members through the use of three very different sets - including a visual depiction of an ocean journey and ship wreck!

"We've already heard from a number of local families who are excited about the opportunities that the Sensory-Friendly Series will open for them, starting with the Doctor Dolittle production," adds Hallisey. "Families that include children and adults who have these types of sensitivities are looking for activities they can enjoy together, and we're proud that our theatre can meet that need."

General admission tickets for Doctor Dolittle are available for $8.00 and reserved seating tickets are available for $12.00. To order, visit www.dreamwrights.org or call 717-848-8623.

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