ImprovBoston Debuts A Sensory-Friendly Improv Experience

The 35 year-old nonprofit comedy theater ImprovBoston pioneers a new improvisational experience designed specially for guests and families living with autism and other special needs. Improv for Everyone: Comedy for Kids with Autism and their Families debuts at ImprovBoston on April 29th at 10AM.

"We're proud to provide kids on the autism spectrum with a welcoming, comfortable environment and the joy of improvisation," explains ImprovBoston Artistic Director Mike Descoteaux. "At the foundation of improv is support. We don't judge. Kids can move around, use a fidget, stand up, take a break, or go to another room for some downtime. We not only accept it - we encourage it."

Kids and their families can enjoy the same laughs as ImprovBoston's popular matinee programming without fear of loud noises, sudden light changes, performers appearing in the audience unannounced, intimidating moments onstage, and other potentially challenging elements of live theater. ImprovBoston's veteran, professional cast will encourage comfort without judgment.

The theater will let families know ahead of time what to expect. A downloadable guide will preview the structure of the show, the audience experience start to finish, the layout of the venue and the available quiet room, the sensory-friendly production adjustments, and where they can sit if they'd like to participate. The cast will also provide visual prompts to take suggestions for kids who communicate visually rather than verbally.

"Looking back at the meltdowns, being louder than anyone else in the room, the critical stares..." confides Lisa, mom of an 18-year old Autism Spectrum Disorder daughter. "ImprovBoston is setting up a creative experience for sensory kiddos to do their favorite things without the judgement of others who just don't get it. This is what memories are made of."

Improv for Everyone: Comedy for Kids with Autism and their Families runs on April 29th at 10AM at ImprovBoston. Tickets are available at ImprovBoston.com/schedule.

ImprovBoston
Unexpected. Every time.

For over 30 years, ImprovBoston has been New England's leading theater and school dedicated to the art of comedy in all its forms. Voted "Best of Boston" by The Phoenix, The Improper Bostonian, and The Weekly Dig, ImprovBoston performers, teachers and students have included film stars, Emmy Award-winning comedians, and acclaimed producers, directors, musicians and writers. ImprovBoston alumni are featured on Conan, Late Night with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show, America's Got Talent, Funniest Wins, Playboy, Last Comic Standing and John Oliver's Last Week Tonight, to name a few. In 2014, the Independent Reviewers of New England honored ImprovBoston with an award recognizing its longstanding contributions to the Boston theater community. As a nonprofit arts organization, ImprovBoston serves the community through laughter with youth outreach programs, workshops for businesses, scholarships, a national touring company and, of course, performances at its theater complex in Central Square, Cambridge.

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