Chicago Sensory Theatre Summit

CCT SPECIAL EVENT (not part of a subscription)

Chicago Children’s Theatre will present its first-ever Chicago Sensory Theatre Summit, a new, international convening of theater professionals, teaching artists, educators and disability advocates interested in boosting accessibility and engagement in the live performing arts.

Throughout February 2026, theater artists, educators and audiences from around the U.S. will gather for industry-only workshops as well as public-facing events including Red Kite, Green Mountain, an immersive sensory theater experience for the very young, Red Kite Prom on Valentine’s Day, CCT’s 20th Birthday Bash Open House, and more. 

Chicago Children’s Theatre Co-Founder and Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell and CCT’s education staff curated the summit by drawing from the company’s 20 years of sensory work. These include CCT’s Red Kite Project experiences for children on the autism spectrum, all-access productions like X-Marks the Spot: An X-Tra Sensory Xperience inspired by visually impaired audiences, and its recent R.O.A.R. (Residencies of Arts and Resilience) program involving trauma-informed teaching and multi-sensory integration. 

“The Chicago Sensory Theatre Summit will demonstrate the positive impacts of inclusive, immersive performance experiences for diverse audiences, especially neurodivergent individuals or those with sensory sensitivities, by engaging multiple senses like touch, smell, taste, sight and sound, beyond seeing and hearing.” – Founding Artistic Director Jacqueline Russell

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Chicago Sensory Theatre Summit Community Mixer
Monday 2/2/26 @ 6pm, Free with RSVP (All Ages)

Red Kite Prom
Saturday 2/14/26 @ 7pm, $10 per participant (Ages 13 – 18)

Red Kite Friendship Tour
Sunday 2/15/26 @ 10am & 12pm, $10 per participant (All Ages)

Hunter Heartbeat Method Book Talk & Signing
Sunday 2/22/26 @ 6pm, Free with RSVP (All Ages)

A Piece of Cake!
An immersive theatrical experience for the very young (Ages 0 – 6)
Saturday 2/28/26 @ 9:30am & 11:30am, $10 per participant
Sunday 3/1/26 @ 9:30am & 11:30am, $10 per participant

CCT 20th Birthday Bash Open House
Saturday 2/28/26 @ 1pm, Free with RSVP (All Ages)

INDUSTRY WORKSHOPS

Engaging 8 Senses To Theatricalize Your Classroom
Monday 2/9/26 @ 5pm, Pay-What-You-Are-Able ($25-$100)

Your Neuro-inclusive Drama Classroom: Preparing To Meet Your Students Where They Are
Thursday 2/12/26 @ 1pm, Pay-What-You-Are-Able ($25-$100)

Return To Self & Space: Essential Ground Work For Creatives
Wednesday 2/18/26 @ 10am or both Wed 2/18/26 & Friday 2/20/26, Pay-What-You-Are-Able ($25-$100 per day)

Multisensory Play In Bedside Pediatric Theatre
Thursday 2/19/26 @ 1pm, Pay-What-You-Are-Able ($25-$75)

Hunter Heartbeat Method Industry Workshop
Friday 2/20/26 @ 4pm, Pay-What-You-Are-Able ($75-$150)

Hunter Heartbeat Method Shakespeare Student Workshop
Saturday 2/21/26 & Sunday 2/22/26 @ 10am, Pay-What-You-Are-Able for both days ($160-$260 for both days)

Co-Creating Theatre For The Very Young
Monday 2/23/26 @ 1pm, Pay-What-You-Are-Able ($25-$75)

The Origins of Red Kite: CCT’s Journey Into Sensory Theatre Making
Wednesday 2/25/26 @ 1pm, Pay-What-You-Are-Able ($25-$100)