Lauren Simon
Google
Amazing!!!! How does this place not have more hype right now.l?!?! We went to the Mad Hatter Tea Party and it was adorable. It was like a dinner and a show for kids. A bunch of tables scattered around the room with chairs, small tea cups, coffee and tea for the grown-ups,, and other so many snacks (no nuts), coloring pages, interactive bits, volunteers who help. Engaged, bright, wonderful staff who are so good and funny. For $25 a kid ticket at $20 an adult ticket, it was Ana amazing deal and a real joyful experience. They’ve really got the right formula down for a children’s show: stories adults and kids like, great value and heart, and reasonable prices on tickets with accessibility for people of different incomes. Plus excellent customer service and help from every person you interact with.
We had originally gotten tickets for Pete the Cat but my kids got very sick about three hours before the performance. I called and left a message saying we couldn’t make it. But they called back, happily transferred our tickets with no charge, and thanked us for staying home while sick. I’m not used to places transferring tickets, only out of luck,
The area around the theater is bright, clean, and feels pretty safe. Definitely an improvement over a year ago. It’s right across the street from the Schnitz, so it feels like a great location.
We have a preschool-ages kiddo who is autistic and this was a great show for him. Bright lights, noises and sounds are usually fun for him. Some of his behaviors mean that it is difficult to go to events like this—but it was welcoming and flexible. Even when he was not quite doing what the rest of the kids were doing, the staff just rolled with it no problem. It’s hard for me to express how much it truly means to be included at an event like this…it’s a lot of work to get to an event, and I’m usually so stressed and worried about making sure my kid isn’t bothering anyone, that it’s rare I have fun and relax when ln out with them.
I know they have a few sensory specific shows, which are really nice. I don’t know if other neurodivergent families would want to go to a regular show, but they could offer a few things I’ve seen at other places. I mean….it’s a mad hatter tea party so it’s meant to be pretty wild. But it was fine for my one year and they were obviously really good at reading kids and tailoring interaction in a way that invited inclusion, but didn’t put pressure on him. (Example, asked him a question, couldn’t answer, they moved right on.) .
Perhaps have a way of making sure each kid has a chance to do something or participate so if they don’t get picked for one activity, they can choose another or get asked “Has anyone not had a
Turn yet? Etc.
-Sensory bag (headphones, sensory tools, fidgets, etc.
-Info about loud noises or sudden touching or moving, or a cue when it’s coming up
-Perhaps some way to choose or indicate how much interaction they hsve
—Perhaps a calm down or quiet space with low lighting, place to lie down, music, eye covers,
Ear plugs, weighted blanket l, etc in case a kid gets overstimulated and needs to calm down. Blazers and winter hawks have some room
For this
The space downstairs or bright and clean. Looked
Fantastic For summer camp and birthday parties.