Sensory-Friendly Performances

The sensory-friendly performance of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is on Saturday, December 14 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets to the sensory-friendly performance of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! are available by phone or in person only. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call our Ticket Office at (619) 234-5623.

Sensory-Friendly AXIS Event

Our fifth annual sensory-friendly AXIS event will take place on Saturday, December 14 at 8:00 a.m., just before the performance of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Please join us for a festive and fun Sensory-Friendly Holiday AXIS Event on December 14th in the Old Globe Plaza from 8am-9:45am. There will be live holiday music with Paul Eddy, Jungle Poppins, and musicians from The Music Therapy Center of San Diego. Also, there will be a staged reading of the book "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" with neurodiverse actors. Hosting the event will be the fabulous Rachel Ford, who will also lead the crowd in a dynamic dance break. Attendees are also encouraged to make a holiday craft on the plaza with expressive arts therapist, Michelle Wolsky, and to take their picture with The Grinch himself! This event is guaranteed to make your holiday season start off merry and bright!

View the Social Story Here

Other sensory-friendly performances have included The Tale of Despereaux, Dr. Seuss's The Lorax, and Into the Woods.

What Is a Sensory-Friendly Performance?

In order to make the experience safer and more enjoyable for theatregoers with autism and other sensitivity issues, slight adjustments are made to the production including:

• Fewer loud noises and flashing lights that may be challenging for some audience members;
• A quiet area in the lobby of the theatre for children who need to leave their seat during the show;
• On-site volunteer specialists will be on hand to assist families as they arrive at the Old Globe Theatre and throughout the performance.

An online social story is also available for Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Parents can view and print this social story, which outlines in words and pictures of the experience that families will have during their trip to see the sensory-friendly performance. Families can also make an appointment to “meet their seat” and familiarize themselves with Balboa Park and The Old Globe.

Photo: (center) Edward Watts as the Grinch with guests of the sensory-friendly performance of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, 2018. Photo by Rich Soublet II.