What is a Sensory-Friendly “Relaxed Family Matinée”?
As part of our run of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, we’re offering one Relaxed Family Matinée — a performance designed to make the experience more comfortable, accessible, and enjoyable for a wider range of audience members.
At Constellation Theatre Co., we think of theatre as something built together — artists, collaborators, and audiences forming something greater when they come together. This performance is one way we’re expanding how that connection can happen.
We simply hope you can join us and experience the show in the way that works best for you.
Sensory-friendly (or “relaxed”) performances have been growing across theatres in Canada and beyond over the past decade.
They were originally developed to support audience members on the autism spectrum or with sensory sensitivities, but they’ve proven valuable for a much broader group of people — including:
- families who want to bring children without worrying about “perfect” behaviour
- people with anxiety or sensory processing differences
- people who stim, fidget, or need to move
- people who may vocalize or react more openly
- anyone who might prefer a more relaxed atmosphere
These performances make small but meaningful adjustments to the environment to reduce sensory stress while keeping the integrity of the show intact.
An Extra Bonus:
We’ve priced this performance to make it easier for families & groups to attend together. Save $5 per ticket, plus an additional 10% off for groups of 10+.
As well, for this performance only, some of the characters may come out after the show for a special Meet & Greet and photo opportunity.
What Makes This Performance Different?
Our Relaxed Family Matinée is still the same show, same cast, same story — just presented in a way that allows for a more flexible and welcoming experience.
Here’s what audiences on June 21st can expect:
- Audience members are welcome to move around, shift in their seats, or step out and return as needed. Noise and movement is okay and expected by actors and other audience members.
- House lights will remain partially on (never fully dark).
- Sudden or intense sound and lighting moments are reduced where possible to help reduce anxiety and sensory overload.
- Nothing about the story or quality of the show changes. It’s part of our regular run, not a separate or secondary production.
With a show like Charlie Brown — which is all about empathy, humanity, and finding your place — it feels especially meaningful for us to be able to welcome audiences to this special adapted performance.