What is a Relaxed Performance?

If you or your loved ones have not felt fully comfortable or included in concert halls in the past, then welcome home to your New Jersey Symphony!

Relaxed Performances are designed to accommodate the differing needs of our patrons of all abilities, including individuals with autism, sensory sensitivities, or cognitive and physical differences. These concerts support the New Jersey Symphony’s mission to make orchestral music accessible to all by removing barriers often found in traditional concert settings. Audience members are encouraged to enter and exit the concert hall as needed throughout the performance and bring comfort items like sensory tools or stuffed animals that will aid in enhancing your musical experience! Accommodations such as large-print programs, sensory guides, a relaxation room, and more are also available.

Please note: If you are someone who prefers silence when you are enjoying a concert, this performance may not be the best fit for you. There may be movement, vocalizations, and other sounds throughout the hall. The shared expectation for all attendees is to help foster a warm, non-judgmental, and accepting atmosphere for everyone.

Click here to view what a day at a Relaxed Performance looks like.

Available resources

Sensory guide: Click to view the sensory guide for the November 6 Relaxed Performance of Rhapsody in Blue or the November 8 performance of Discover Rhapsody in Blue at NJPAC.
Relaxation room: The Parsonnet Room on Tier 2 will be available for those who may wish to take a break from the performance. Music will be piped into this space so that you can continue to hear the concert while relaxing.
Seating guide: Find the best seating area for your needs by referencing the seating guide here.
Vision friendly: House lights will be dimmed.

Large-print programs are available at every performance; please ask an usher for a copy.
Auditory friendly: Assisted listening devices are available upon request at NJPAC. The FM system in Prudential Hall Betty Wold Johnson Stage and the Victoria Theater Lizzie & Jonathan Tisch Stage require a special receiver for each person. Whether or not you wear a hearing aid, we offer under-the-chin headsets and neck loops (personal teleloop) for t-coil users. In the Chase Room, we offer Sennheiser infrared devices. A driver’s license or credit card will be required as a deposit.
Sign-language interpretation: Sign language interpretation is available upon request with one week’s notice; please email the New Jersey Symphony ADA coordinator at ada@njsymphony.org.

Additional trained staff and volunteers will be on site to assist patrons as needed.

For more information, please contact the ADA Coordinator at ada@njsymphony.org.