FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Laboratory Theater always had a history of community outreach, and 100 years later, its mantra around community stands true.

“She (The Lab building) had a pantry, a food pantry, they had a drug outreach, they had a daycare center,” said Paula Sisk. 

Sisk is the Director of Marketing and Education at The Lab. She says accessibility is why they do things like offer half-priced previews, give teens a free ticket to the first Saturday run of a show, and take special needs into consideration.

Sensory-friendly performances and experiences are gaining steam in the US and here in Southwest Florida. Charlotte Earnhart, Director of the Florida Autism Center, hopes it continues to get more popular.

“They’re not alone out there. If they have children that struggle with sensory processing, there are people out there that notice, care, want to help them and help them feel included,” said Earnhart.

Similar to The Lab Theater now offers shows for those with sensory needs. The modified performances allow more light throughout the theater and cut down on loud sounds that could cause sensory overload, which families say makes all the difference.

“You still get the same show; you just get it a little gentler,” Sisk said. 

“I think families, especially I know our families here at Florida Autism Center, they feel they’re going somewhere where it’s not expected, but it would be okay if a child started having a sensory issue and needed to leave or be more accepted, tolerated,” Earnhart added.

The theater staff is also trained to provide more comfort to patrons during any sensory performance. But it’s not just those living with autism that suffer from sensory overload.

Sisk says before The Lab offered modified shows, “I sat in the back of the with someone that said I have PTSD. I really want to see this show. I cannot handle gunshots. So because of that, we’ve made as many accommodations as we can to make sure that it is, that that love of theater can be passed down to other generations and continued.”

Sensory-friendly performance dates:

June 22 at 8:00 pm – Save Hamlet

August 17 at 8:00 pm – POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive

September 28 at 7:30 pm – Noises Off

November 9 at 7:30 pm – Misery

December 21 at 7:30 pm – Yippee Ki-Yay Merry Christmas A Die Hard Christmas Musical

February 1 at 7:30 pm – Stew

March 21 at 7:30 pm – Ride the Cyclone

May 2 at 7:30 pm – Crocodile Fever

For more information, click here.