Kent performing arts academy offers sensory-friendly holiday show

Kent-based Allegro Performing Arts Academy will offer a sensory-friendly holiday performance.

The free show will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Auburn Performing Arts Center, 702 Fourth St. NE. Register for tickets at https://forms.gle/ALKqVaJ4nLNv7Mrd8. Registration is required to reserve a seat.

“Many adults and children who are on the autism spectrum, are neurodiverse, have developmental and/or cognitive disabilities are not able to enjoy live performances,” according to a Allegro Performing Arts Academy press release. “The need for these types of performances is in great demand as many families cannot experience together the benefit of live performing arts. We want to help to provide this to our community and to allow everyone to celebrate the holidays in a fun and festive way.”

This year’s holiday showcase is called “The Great Holiday Baking Championship.” It’s a script written especially for Allegro that plays off all the popular reality baking shows. The Allegro Players drama group are the main characters that take the audience through the story while the dance performances support the story through song and movement.

The sensory friendly showcase modifications will include:

Lower sound level in the audience; elimination of startling or loud sounds; lights in the audience will be raised slightly; the audience is a ‘shush-free’ zone and there will be a calming area in the lobby for those that need a break from the show as well.

“Allegro is proud to be offering this type of performance for the first time in our 27 years and we plan to make it a consistent part of our future holiday performances for years to come,” according to the press release.

For more information, email Allegro Performing Arts Academy at office@allegrodance.com or call 253-813-9630.

Allegro dancers will perform Dec. 17 at a holiday showcase. COURTESY PHOTO, Allegro