Today we're at the Lerner Theater in Elkhart, and it really is one of my favorite places because first of all, it's beautiful.

It's gorgeous in here.

And there's so much history here as well.

So Jenny, you're joining us today.

Can you share some more about the history of really what is a treasure in the community?

Sure.

Well, the Lerner is a 1700 seat vaudeville house that originally opened in 1924. we've been renovated back in 2011 with an $18 million renovation, and now we are, operating as a live music and event venue.

Now, a vaudeville?

Yes.

Okay.

So I've come here and that's something that I didn't know.

Yeah.

it originally opened as a vaudeville house converted into a movie theater, and now we are back to live events.

What are some of the other changes that has happened over all this time?

Sure.

One of the, maybe less well known ones we opened as the Lerner Theater quickly turned to, the Warner Theater and then became the Elkhart Theater.

And now we are back to the Lerner.

Wonderful.

And you have 100 years coming up.

Isn't that coming up in?

Is it November?

Yes, November 27th.

We're celebrating our 100th anniversary, which is so exciting to be a part of.

And, just can't wait for everything that we have in store.

Can you give us a sneak peek on some of the things she's like?

I'm holding that.

No, I'm not going to let anybody know.

You're going to have to come and experience it.

We don't have everything ready just yet, but, we look forward to sharing soon and I'm sure it's going to be wonderful.

But we're also here today to talk about Kulture City.

And this is something that the learn just became certified in.

Yes.

Yeah.

Tell us a little bit about Kulture.

Kulture city, is that it?

Sure.

Yes.

Kulture city.

Kulture city is the nation's leading nonprofit in sensory inclusivity.

They work with, live event venues, but also just other small businesses, organizations that are looking to be more, open and accepting to people with sensory needs.

Why is it important to bring it here to the Lerner Theater?

Sure.

Events can be an incredibly stimulating experience.

and for some people, it can be overstimulating to be around all of the crowds, all of the noise, all of the, being shoulder to shoulder.

And we saw a need, especially as a venue that hosts a lot of school events and a lot of loud, really populated events for this opportunity to be, open and inclusive and provide an experience, and help for an experience for somebody who might be experiencing, overstimulation in those events.

I love that because, you know, art is so important in someone's life, being able to come to live theater.

to be able to come and see a concert here.

And I love that you're making a way for people to come and experience it, where maybe if this was not available, they wouldn't even come.

They'd stay home.

Right.

We want to make the learning for everybody.

And this is just one step closer and being able to do that.

So how do people, when they come here and if they, they, they are in need of something like that.

How does it work?

Sure.

Well, as a partner with Kulture City, you can find out about that on, our Facebook page.

But you can also go to the lerner.com/plan your visit.

There's plenty of, FAQs there.

And one of them is Kulture cities partnership with us.

You can view, our social story with Kulture City that talks about everything that you might experience when you come to the Lerner.

It walks you through going to the box office to buy tickets, getting your tickets scanned, potentially checking your coat, going through security, all those things to reduce the anxiety that comes with going to a new event or going to a new place.

That's great.

for somebody who might be interested in checking out one of our sensory bags, you can come over to our coat, check right here.

Can we take a look at it?

Yes.

Of course.

they are drawstring bags, but inside, is a kc VIP.

It's a Kulture City VIP lanyard.

but it also gives you access to.

There's noise canceling headphones, fidget tools.

as well as this is called a feeling cue card or a feeling thermometer that allows you to be able to communicate with those around you.

if you need something like a restroom or concessions, etc.

that's great.

And I know you mentioned a schools, but but this is also available for adults.

Yes.

And also people with dementia, as well as with PTSD, of course.

Yes.

sensory are not an age defined situation.

we want to make these available for anybody who might be able to benefit from them.

all that we need when you come to check out a bag is for you to leave an ID with us so that we can make sure that those bags get returned and are able to be cleaned and used again.

Okay, wonderful.

And I know we're talking about this, but I have a question for you.

So I came in and I thought this was the cutest thing ever.

Take your seat.

No, seriously, I was like, I'm going to take a seat.

Can you tell us what is this about?

Yeah.

So the Take Your Seat program is a donation program that is led by the learner.

as a part of the friends of the learner.

It's our nonprofit wing.

donors have the ability to make a donation to buy a seat or take your seat.

and you are able to get a customized name Tag.

Cute that is then put onto the seat of your choice.

Oh, I love that, I love that.

Well, Jenna, thank you so much for joining us.

I'm about to go meet Premier Arts.

Oh my goodness.

Oh, I can't wait.

I doing Matilda.

so that's going to be so great.

Going to be so.

Yeah.

Thanks a lot.

Yes.

Thank you.