Magik Theatre opens quiet room for children with autism
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Magik Theatre is the latest San Antonio establishment to offer a new sensory-friendly way for kids with autism or other disabilities to enjoy activities.
Why it matters: Autism has long been misunderstood and stigmatized. Today, more companies and organizations are creating inclusive spaces for people with heightened sensory responses.
The latest: Magik Theatre, a children's venue at Hemisfair, opened its new quiet room last weekend for a sensory-friendly performance of "The Velveteen Rabbit."
- If a member of the audience is feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated, they can take a break in the quiet room.
- "Creating a quiet room at Magik makes our performances more accessible, offering a safe space for young audiences who need a sensory break while still allowing them to experience the magic of live storytelling," managing director Mel Zarb-Cousin said in a statement.
Zoom in: The roughly 12-foot-by-15-foot room includes specialized furniture and decor. There are calming lights projected onto the ceiling, a TV showing the ongoing performance and sensory toys like fidget spinners and weighted stuffed animals.
What they're saying: Laura Hensley, whose daughter Mina is on the autism spectrum, shared in a press release that participating in events — or even society in general — can be tough, impacting Mina's development and their mental health.
- "Accommodations such as quiet rooms mean that Mina and people like her have an equal chance to just exist in public, instead of being excluded for behaviors and thought processes beyond their control," Hensley said.
Zoom out: Magik first launched sensory-friendly performances in 2016. They feature a smaller crowd size, longer time between when the doors open and when the show begins, dim lights that remain on during shows and reduced special effects volume. Guests can talk or leave their seats, too.
- The theater offers sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones, weighted lap blankets and fidget items, all available free to the audience during performances.
The big picture: Magik Theatre is one of nearly two dozen San Antonio-area locations that are certified sensory-inclusive by KultureCity, a national nonprofit focused on sensory accessibility.
- Majestic and Empire Theatres, Natural Bridge Caverns, the Tobin Center, Go Rio river cruises and the Frost Bank Center have certification. So do the Lego stores downtown and at North Star Mall and La Cantera.
The bottom line: "It's about welcoming everyone and ensuring all children can enjoy theater in a way that meets their unique needs," Zarb-Cousin said.