The nonprofit service organization TDF has announced its 13th season of autism-friendly performances. The program is designed for individuals on the autism spectrum or with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
The season will begin on Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. with a performance of “Hadestown” at the Walter Kerr Theatre. That performance will be sponsored by Thomas M. Neff, who is providing tickets free of charge for TDF to distribute via lottery. TDF’s autism-friendly-performances initiative launched in 2011.
The season will continue with “The Lion King” at the Minskoff Theatre on Sept. 29 at 1 p.m., the “Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes” at Radio City Music Hall on Nov. 17 at 9 a.m., the first-ever autism-friendly performance of “Back to the Future” on Jan. 26, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Winter Garden Theatre and the return of “MJ” on March 2, 2025, at 1 p.m., at the Neil Simon Theatre. Closing out the season will be the first-ever autism-friendly performances of “& Juliet” on May 4, 2025, at 1 p.m., at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, and “Hamilton” on June 22, 2025, at 1 p.m., at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.
“TDF’s autism-friendly performances create a no-judgment, no-apology environment for families and individuals impacted by autism, many of whom have historically been excluded from the theatergoing experience,” said Deeksha Gaur, TDF’s executive director. “This year, we are excited to share the magic of live theater with even more audience members, both through AFPs at seven different productions, as well as by offering more free tickets than ever before to those who may not be able to afford the experience otherwise.”
