Sense Theatre

SENSE Theatre students act in the play Circus del Sé.
July 13, 2023

SENSE Theatre study finds play participation increases social skills in autistic youth

Together with the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and ACM Lifting Lives, SENSE Theatre recently presented a two-night performance of the play Circus del Sé, written by Blythe Corbett, PhD, James G. Blakemore Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

By Danny Bonvissuto
June 9, 2022

SENSE Theatre to offer two free performances

SENSE Theatre®, a summer camp for youth with autism spectrum disorders led by Blythe Corbett, PhD, and supported by the Academy of Country Music Lifting Lives® will present two live, free performances of an original play with music. Both performances of “The Year of the Ladybug” will take place in the Wyatt Center Rotunda on the Vanderbilt campus at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 17, and Saturday, June 18

By VUMC News and Communications
October 28, 2021

SENSE Theatre production of “The Adult School” brings together diverse cast

The goal of the SENSE Theatre program is to improve the social and emotional functioning of individuals with autism spectrum disorder through using behavioral and theater techniques.

By Erin O. Smith
August 13, 2020

ACM gift aims to improve lives of children with autism spectrum disorder

ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music, has made a generous gift to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for programs and research demonstrating the healing power of music to improve the lives of children with autism spectrum disorder.

By VUMC News and Communications
Improving social competence in adults with autism is the goal of an upcoming study using the SENSE Theatre program. (photo taken before social distancing.)
April 22, 2020

Study seeks to improve social competence in adults with autism

Researchers from VUMC are investigating whether participation in a specially designed theatre program can improve social competence in adults with autism.

By Kelsey Herbers
February 16, 2018

SENSE Theatre presents ‘HATS’ March 9-10

SENSE Theatre and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center will present the play “HATS” at 7 p.m. March 9 and 10 at the Troutt/Black Box Theatre Complex on Compton Avenue, near Belmont Boulevard. SENSE Theatre includes youth with autism spectrum disorder and trained peer actors from the University School of Nashville.

By VUMC News and Communications
January 15, 2018

Vanderbilt leads study investigating impact of theatre on youth with autism

By VUMC News and Communications
June 14, 2016

SENSE Theatre Camp presents ‘The Year of the Ladybug’ June 17-18

"The Year of the Ladybug" is the capstone performance of the SENSE Theatre Summer Camp for youths with autism spectrum disorders and peer actors. The performances are free.
By VUMC News and Communications
September 30, 2015

Theatre program benefits children with autism: study

Children with autism who participated in a 10-week, 40-hour, theatre-based program showed significant differences in social ability compared to a group of children with autism who did not participate, according to a Vanderbilt study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
By Craig Boerner
October 24, 2013

Theatre offers promise for youth with autism

A novel autism intervention program using theatre to teach reciprocal communication skills is improving social deficits in adolescents with the disorder that now affects an estimated one in 88 children, Vanderbilt University researchers report in the journal Autism Research.
By VUMC News and Communications
October 22, 2013

Theatre offers promise for youth with autism, Vanderbilt study finds

A novel autism intervention program using theatre to teach reciprocal communication skills is improving social deficits in adolescents with the disorder that now affects an estimated one in 88 children, Vanderbilt University researchers released today in the journal Autism Research.
By VUMC News and Communications
October 17, 2012

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center hosts autism study tour for French disability professionals

By VUMC News and Communications
June 24, 2011

Children with autism take center stage at SENSE Theatre

Vanderbilt researcher uses theater as therapy for children with autism.
By VUMC News and Communications
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