Society for the Performing Arts to Present First Autism-Friendly Performance

As part of the 50th anniversary season and tradition of "bringing the world's best to Houston," Society for the Performing Arts (SPA) will present its first autism-friendly performance at the Cullen Theater inside the Wortham Center.

The performance on Sept. 23 is appropriate for middle school, high school and post-graduates, along with their parents, teachers and chaperones.

Special performance accommodations include:

- Orchestra-level seating only, with room to move around

- Designated quiet areas in the theater

- Lowered sound levels

- House lights at a low level during the performance

- No strobe lighting

- Flexibility during the performance for talking and movement

- Extra volunteer support

SPA's Education and Community Engagement Department creates affordable opportunities for the discovery, development and celebration of creativity on and off stage for all people in the Houston area. Together in partnership with The HUB Houston, this one-hour performance features four pieces by choreographer David Parsons. Student dancers from the High School for Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) also will be onstage during the event. This performance is made possible thanks to a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts.

The performance will take place on Friday, September 23 at noon at Wortham Center (performance will be in the Cullen Theater), 500 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002. Cost: $5 (General Admission). Please call 713-227-4772 to reserve, or purchase online by visiting www.spahouston.org/education/autism-friendly-performance (some fees apply for online purchases).

A Social Narrative is available. Please reach out to education@spahouston.org to request a copy. For more information or for questions on the Parsons Dance Autism-Friendly Performance, call SPA's Education and Community Engagement Department at 713-632-8102.

For more information regarding other Society for the Performing Arts performance dates, times and details, call 713-227-4772 or visit spahouston.org.

The 2016-2017 season features an expanded lineup of family programming with two series: the Family Fun Jr. Series, geared towards younger kids ages 4-10, and the Family Fun Series, with shows for the entire family. Things kick off with Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood LIVE (October 9th, 2016), featuring Daniel Tiger and his friends from the hit PBS television series in an interactive musical adventure through the vibrant world of the iconic Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Centered around another PBS show, Odd Squad LIVE, will also make its Houston debut (January 21st, 2017), with Kid Agents Otto and Olive. Rounding out this season's Family Fun Jr. Series will be the Underwater Bubble Show (October 28th, 2016), a cutting-edge, immersive show straight from Latvia. In addition, the Family Fun Series will include shows for the entire family, leading off with Cirque Dreams HOLIDAZE (November 18th-20th, 2016), a holiday extravaganza that blends circus performers with Broadway musical staging. Other offerings include the legendary STOMP (February 10th-12th), Annie the Musical (April 8th-9th), and a one-of-a-kind brand new tour from Australia, Circus 1903 (June 9th -11th), that celebrates the golden age of the circus with a global cast of performers and stunning animal puppets from Significant Objects.

Founded in 1966, Society for the Performing Arts (SPA) is the largest independent non-profit presenting organization in the Southwest. Since its inception, SPA has sponsored more than 1,000 performances of the world's finest music, dance and theater events, in adherence to the belief that the arts are fundamental to the overall enrichment and quality of life within the community. In addition to presenting artists, SPA seeks to provide a variety of learning experiences for adults and children through master classes, lectures and special student performances, as well as build relationships between the performing arts and other interests within the greater Houston area and throughout the state of Texas.

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