Connect, Create, Inspire.

These performances are designed to create a welcoming and comfortable arts experience for people with autism, sensory sensitivities, or other social, learning or cognitive disabilities. Special adaptations to the performance include: lights remaining on, reduced sound levels, ability to move around as needed, waving instead of clapping, and special materials to help audience members to engage.

With over 300 attendees, the community response to these performances has been overwhelming gratitude. The following is an excerpt from a letter to the Grosse Pointe News Editor, by Annette and Amy Feldpausch of Grosse Pointe Woods.

Gratitude is what I felt as I watched “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” on Sept. 24, with my 38-year-old special-needs daughter. The performance was outstanding … When a family has a neuroatypical person, everyday activities are processed and considered very differently, so going to see a fun musical “inside” an auditorium is met with hesitancy … The grant money was very well spent in preparation for the patrons to be able to enjoy and understand their magic outing, including a preparatory packet, mailed to the home, and velcro activity cards handed out at the theater, to name a couple of efforts … Thank you, each and everyone of you involved in any way with GP Theatre, for providing our perfect memories.

GPT looks forward to continuing to expand its theatre audiences and give back to our community with annual sensory-friendly performances.