THE NUTCRACKER - Sensory Friendly Performance     , Sunday, November 30, 2025 1:00PM

Item details

Date

Sunday, November 30, 2025 1:00PM

Name

THE NUTCRACKER - Sensory Friendly Performance     

Description

Ellie Caulkins Opera House

THE NUTCRACKER - Sensory Friendly Performance

Colorado Ballet is proud to offer a performance of The Nutcracker for people with an intellectual or developmental disability, ASD, and other sensory sensitivities on Sunday, November 30 at 1:00 PM. This production will have sensory-friendly adaptations and will also provide a relaxed environment for all patrons in attendance.

Colorado Ballet staff, dancers, ushers, and volunteers receive specific training from our partner organizations to provide the best adapted experience possible and to learn more about how we can support our audience at this performance. As always, we’re committed to making the performance a welcoming, inclusive, and memorable experience for all of our patrons.
 

What makes it a “sensory-friendly” performance? + (click to expand/collapse)

This performance features a friendly, supportive environment for families with a loved one with special needs. Adaptations to the performance are slight, including:

- Elimination of potentially startling special effects and lighting
- House lights on at about 30%
- Typically, we would also lower sound levels. However as this is not an option with our live orchestra, we’ve reduced potentially loud or startling sounds and recommend patrons bring headphones or earplugs as needed (there will be a limited number available at the theatre).
 

What does a "relaxed environment" mean? + (click to expand/collapse)

This performance will have relaxed house rules for the audience. This means you are free to get up, move around, and leave or return whenever you need to. A relaxed environment also includes the following:

- Allowed use of iPads and other electronics for therapeutic uses
- Provided and welcomed manipulative objects
- Relaxed traditional expectations of patrons staying seated and quiet
- Volunteers scattered throughout the theatre to assist and direct audience members as needed
- Quiet areas and activity areas in the lobby for taking a break
- A touch table for patrons to experience costume pieces through the tactile sense
- Audio description is provided
 

What adaptations will be made? + (click to expand/collapse)

Here are several examples of how the performance may be modified:

- The Nutcracker includes an explosion in a battle scene. For this performance, the explosion is removed.
- Flashing lights will instead shine steadily
- Loud noises from props and the orchestra will be softened or removed

Is there a social narrative I can preview? + (click to expand/collapse)

Yes! View the social narrative for this performance here.

Is there group pricing for this performance? + (click to expand/collapse)

We are pleased to offer accessible pricing for this performance. Because of that, this performance is not eligible for group discounts.

Are there any other eligible discounts for this performance? + (click to expand/collapse)

We are pleased to offer accessible pricing for this performance. Because of that, this performance is not eligible for subscriber, Academy, military, student, or promotional discounts.

We’re proud of our dancers for their inclusive approach to sharing their art. They make artistic choices to bring a vibrant and accessible performance to the stage and to the audience.

Available July 1 at 10:00am