Paper Mill Wins New Jersey Governor's Jefferson Award for Autism-Friendly Performances

Paper Mill Playhouse has announced that its Autism Advisory Team has won the 2015 New Jersey State Governor's Jefferson Award for Public Service. The Paper Mill Playhouse’s Autism Advisory Team was presented the Jefferson Award by Acting New Jersey Governor Kim Guadagno at a ceremony at the Newark Museum.

Honorees of the New Jersey State Governor's Jefferson Award achieve measurable community impact and represent outstanding acts of public service, without expectation of recognition or compensation. The Paper Mill Playhouse Autism Advisory Team was selected for this prize from a pool of close to 500 nominees.

Paper Mill Playhouse was the first professional theater in the nation to offer autism-friendly performances designed for people with autism and other developmental disabilities, and it continues its commitment to offering an ongoing series of affordable programming that enables all patrons to enjoy live theater with independence and dignity.

At autism-friendly performances the theater environment is altered, providing a sensory-friendly, comfortable, and judgment-free space that is welcoming to all families. The performance itself will be adjusted with special attention paid to lighting and sound, with preparation materials provided and on-site specialist support.

The autism-friendly 2015-16 performance schedule includes the TheatreworksUSA productions of Curious George on November 7 and May 12 at 10am, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe on December 16 at 10am, and Henry & Mudge on June 12 at 10am.