SAN ANTONIO — The Magik Theatre in San Antonio is opening a new "quiet room," designed to help guests experiencing sensory issues during the performances.
The San Antonio location is known for being an innovative children's theatre dedicated to making entertainment and education as accessible as possible so no child or family feels left out. On Saturday guests can get a first look at the new, calming space during a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:45 a.m. before a 10 a.m. sensory-friendly performance of "The Velveteen Rabbit."
The quiet room features specialized furniture, decorations, calming lights that will be projected onto the ceiling, a TV that broadcasts the current performance in real-time and sensory toys.
"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,” Magik’s Managing Director Mel Zarb-Cousin said.
Some of the Magik Theatre's most recent inclusive efforts are their ASL-translated performances, pay-what-you-wish performances, and sensory-friendly shows that began in 2016.
Laura Hensely, whose daughter Mina is on the Autism spectrum, said," The fact that Magik Theater is incorporating a quiet room is so meaningful to Mina and me both. The need for regulation can make it really difficult for us to participate in society as a whole, which affects not only our mental health but also Mina’s development…. 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."
The Magik Theatre is located at 420 S. Alamo, San Antonio TX 78205.
