Imagination Stage in Bethesda, Maryland, a children's theatre near DC, holds Pick Your Price sensory-friendly performances: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! on Sunday, December 13, 2026, Pandora: Out of the Box! on Saturday, March 20, 2027 and Grand Slam Hero on Saturday, July 10, 2027, each at 10 am. Sound and stage lights are turned down, glow sticks warn of surprises, and the Lerner Family Theatre has a soundproof quiet room where you can still see and hear the show.
Sensory supports. Pick Your Price sensory shows, soundproof quiet room.
Hours
Sensory-friendly performances at 10 am: Sunday, December 13, 2026 (The Grinch), Saturday, March 20, 2027 (Pandora) and Saturday, July 10, 2027 (Grand Slam Hero). Box office: Tuesday to Friday 10 am to 2 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday it opens 30 minutes before a performance.
“In the quiet room, you can continue to watch the show while not disturbing others in the audience.”
“Imagination Stage offers Listening Aids, sensory items, ASL-interpreted performances, Sensory Friendly Performances, head phones, and a quiet room inside the Lerner Family Theatre.”
“Our Sensory Friendly Performances are 'Pick Your Price' to ensure accessibility for all!”
The theatre's Access Resources page links a Day of Social Story (a visual guide to coming for a show) and a Sound Map of the Lerner Theatre showing sound levels by seating section.
Sensory-friendly performances also come with a pre-visit social story and other materials for parents and children explaining what to expect from the performance.
If you have a question about whether a show suits your child, you can call the box office at 301-280-1660 to talk through the material. Reading the book a show is based on is another way to prepare.
The soundproof quiet room at the back of the Lerner Family Theatre, where you can still watch and hear the showquiet zone
Every person needs a ticket or a lap pass. Lap passes are not sold online; buy them by phone or at the box office. In the Lerner Theatre (The Grinch, Pandora, Grand Slam Hero), babies under 1 need a free lap pass, children 1 to 2 a $5 lap pass, and children 3 and up a full ticket. In the Reeve Theatre, babies under 1 need a $5 lap pass and children 1 and up a full ticket.
Regular ticket prices start at $16, with dynamic pricing. Groups of 10 or more save 10% to 25% (not on Tier 3 seats). School employees, first responders and military members get 20% off Lerner Family Theatre shows (limit 6, not Tier 3 seats) by calling the box office and showing ID at pickup.
Refunds and exchanges: contact the box office 48 hours or more before for a refund to the method of payment you used, minus the non-refundable facility fee; within 48 hours your tickets become a Credit Certificate; if you do not contact them before the show, there is no credit or refund. Exchanges must be asked for at least 48 hours ahead, with no exchange fee.
The Lerner Family Theatre shows are generally for children 4 and older; the Reeve Studio Theatre typically shows plays for ages 1 to 5. The Lerner has limited accessible seating with companion seats; the Reeve has floor-level seating.
Photos, video and recording are not permitted during performances of copyrighted material.
Getting there: an easy walk or Bethesda Trolley ride from the Bethesda Metro (Red Line), between Old Georgetown Road and Wisconsin Avenue. The Auburn Del Ray Garage next door is free on Sundays and metered Monday to Saturday.
