Trending
WHEELING -- Easterseals Rehabilitation Center will screen the cartoon adventure "The Secret Life of Pets" in a sensory-friendly format at Oglebay Institute's Towngate Theatre and Cinema at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 22.
"The next film in our sensory-friendly series will have audience members on the edge of their seats as they cheer on Max and Duke during their rollicking, cross-town adventure. The free film is screened in an inclusive and accessible format for people with all levels of developmental and sensory processing abilities," Easterseals marketing director Betsy Bethel-McFarland said. "Everyone is welcome to this judgment-free screening."
Admission and popcorn are free. Registration is requested.
"Sensory-friendly" means the theater house lights will be dimmed but not off, and the movie volume will be lowered. Guests are free to stand and move around, and they can bring their own food and drinks to accommodate food allergies and sensitivities.
The 166-seat Towngate Theatre and Cinema offers handicapped accessible parking and an elevator to access the second floor. Seating also will be available in the first-floor lobby, where there will be sensory activities and a TV simultaneously screening the movie.
Closed captioning will be on both screens.
"These inclusive measures are being taken to provide a welcoming environment for children and adults who may not feel comfortable in a traditional movie theater setting," Bethel-McFarland said.
Easterseals provides outpatient pediatric speech, physical and occupational therapies and medical services for children with various physical and neurodevelopmental disabilities and delays.
The March 22 event, the fourth in the Sensory-Friendly Sunday Matinee series, is sponsored by Barbara Strauss, a longtime Easterseals board member.
"The Secret Life of Pets," released by Illumination in 2016, is rated PG and is one hour and 27 minutes long. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. The movie starts promptly at 2 p.m. There will be no previews or trailers.
Cash or nonperishable food donations will be accepted to help stock a food cupboard for Easterseals clients.
To register, visit the event page on the Easterseals Facebook page or website, www.wv.easterseals.com.