You will find more and more theaters catering to you! Enjoy high-quality live entertainment in a safe, supportive, sensory-friendly environment. For children diagnosed with sensitivity issues, theaters have made slight adjustments to the production. At a sensory friendly relaxed performance, you will find lighting and sound levels that are modulated to reduce anxiety and stress; a judgment-free environment with a relaxed attitude toward noise and moving around during the show; a separate break area with soft seating, fidget toys and activities, and even ushers and volunteers who have been trained to assist. We hope you enjoy this list of upcoming shows at theaters throughout our state. Please call ahead to confirm show dates and times, as they are subject to change. Each performance venue may differ from others. Log onto www.njkidsonline.com for more details and other activities.

Paper Mill Playhouse
22 Brookside Drive, Millburn

  • Annie Autism Friendly Performance 
    Wednesday, December 27, 1:30pm.  Leapin’ lizards! The irrepressible comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals just in time for the winter holidays.
  • The Lightening Thief
    Sunday, April 22, 2018, 10am.  Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school...again. And that’s the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy’s Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he’s angered a few of them.

Accessibility:  sign-interpreted performances, open-captioned performances, wheelchair seating, audio description & sensory seminars, Braille and large-print programs.

Union County Performing Arts
1601 Irving Street, Rahway.

  • ARB’s Nutcracker
    Nov 19, 2017.  The abridged, one-hour, Sensory-Friendly performance of American Repertory Ballet’s Nutcracker is especially for children and adults with special needs. The performance is made possible by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders as part of the UC Sensory Friendly Theatre series. American Repertory
  • Champions of Magic
    Jan 21, 2018.  Witness the impossible, including disappearances, levitation, teleportation and a heart stopping finale, all presented with lighting and special effects to rival the biggest theatrical spectacles.

Two River Theater 
21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank

  • The Importance of Being Earnest
    Audio Description: Wednesday, November 29, 1pm.  Open Caption: Saturday, December 2, 3pm
  • The Rainbow Fish
    Relaxed Performance: Saturday, December 16, 4pm 
  • El Coqui Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom
    Audio Description: Wednesday, January 31, 1pm.  Open Caption:  Saturday, February 3, 3pm.  Relaxed Performance: Saturday, January 27, 3pm
  • The Bridge of San Luis Rey
    Audio Description:  Wednesday, March 14,  1pm.  Open Caption: Saturday, March 17, 3pm.
  • A Little Shakespeare: The Comedy of Errors
    Relaxed Performance: Saturday, March 10, 4pm. 
  • The Young King
    Relaxed Performance: Saturday, April 21, 4PM
  • Dancing at Lughnasa
    Audio Description: Wednesday, May 2, 1pm.  Open Caption: Saturday, May 5, 3pm.
  • Oo-Bla-Dee
    Audio Description: Wednesday, June 27, 1pm.  Open Caption: Saturday, June 30, 3pm.

Accessibility:  Assistive Listening Devices, Large print programs.  Scheduled audio description performances, open captioned performances, American Sign Language interpreted performances, relaxed performances.

Mayo Performing Arts Center
100 South St, Morristown, 973.539.8008 Special Needs Friendly Shows. These relaxed performances will have lights up, modified sound, a quiet room and the ability to get out of your seat so children with special needs may share in this family experience.

  • Sing Along with the Muppet Movie
    Sunday, March 11, 2018, 2PM. Sing Along with The Muppet Movie provides a family-friendly interactive experience. Connect with the classic Jim Henson film via puppetry and more.
  • Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site The Musical.
    Tuesday April 10, 2018, 12:15PM. Bedtime is approaching, and a team of construction vehicles needs to get their rest.
    Meet Crane Truck, Cement Mixer, Dump Truck, Excavator, and Bulldozer.
  • Pete The Cat.
    Monday April 23, 2018, 4PM. Groovy, rockin’ Pete the Cat sets out to turn the super square lives of the family he moves in with upside down in this far out, fun adventure based on the popular book series.

State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, 732.246.7469.
Autism-Relaxed Performances designed to create a safe, welcoming environment for people with autism or other sensory sensitivities. There will be ushers and volunteers specially trained to assist you.

  • National Acrobats and Martial Artists of China.
    Friday, November 17, 12pm Show. Spectacular Chinese circus, amazing acrobatics, and traditional Shaolin martial arts.
  • The Rainbow Fish. Performance for Schools.
    Wednesday April 18, 2018, 10am Show.

Shea Center for Performing Arts at William Patterson University
300 Pompton Rd, Wayne, 973.720.3178.

  • Theater for Children with Autism Theatreworks USA presents Junie B. Jones
    December 4, 2017, 10:30am. Adapted from Junie B. Jones books, everyone’s favorite first grader is back in a musical with singing, dancing, and mischief!

Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College
118 Lamington Rd, Raritan. 908.725.3420.
The sensory friendly performances are designed for children with autism or related sensory conditions. The theatre provides a safe and judgment free environment that is great for all families.

  • The Garuffalo.
    Sunday, February 25, 2018. 1pm and 3:30pm. Join Mouse on an exciting adventure through the deep, dark wood. This is a magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
  • Ssh! We Have a Plan.
    March 6, 2018. 10am and 12:30pm. Follow the journey of an adventuring family in the woods. When they see a beautiful bird, the characters have a plan to capture it. The quest becomes an obsession.  The characters go through various exploits and learn that treating nature with kindness and respect are more important than getting what you want.
  • The Polar Bears Go Up.
    April 21, 2018. 10am and 2:30pm.