PHILIPSBURG — Rowland Theatre board member Rebecca Inlow was left without words at the ticket register after the kindness displayed by a stranger over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
The theater was about to show a sensory-friendly screening of the movie “Encanto,” when the man walked in.
“He asked if this was the sensory showing, and I said, ‘yes,’ and asked if he wanted a ticket. He said he did not want one for himself, but handed me money and said he wanted to pay for those attending that show,” said Inlow.
“He wouldn’t give his name. I thanked him as he walked away and was left pretty speechless. I was very touched by the kind act.”
“It was wonderful to be able to tell those attending that a kind donor paid for their tickets that morning,” she said.
Inlow said the sensory-friendly movies started at the Rowland after a parent reached out a few years ago.
“Her child had a sensory processing disorder,” said Inlow.
“This sounded like something we could do, but we wanted to get more information on how we could successfully do this.”
The theater worked with CenClear Child Services to help provide the right atmosphere for the showings. The movies are open to the public, but Inlow said, “they are especially helpful for people with sensory processing disorders, autism or any other condition that might make attending a regular showing difficult.”
During the shows the lights are up and the volume is kept down. In the lobby, CenClear offers tactile objects and other help to families if needed.
“The layout of the Rowland Theatre is perfect for these movies because our lobby just kind of morphs into the auditorium, and this is very helpful with our collaboration with CenClear,” said Inlow.
This Thanksgiving weekend showing was the first sensory-friendly movie at the theater since the pandemic. Inlow said the kind act that proceeded it was an example for all as we head into the holiday season.
The Rowland Theatre is a nonprofit, 104-year-old theater operated by volunteers that appreciate everyone who comes through the door helping the theater continue to operate.
This Sunday, the theater will be holding its annual Christmas show with Altoona Brass Collective performing, but it seems as if a little bit of holiday spirit was already on display at the Rowland.
“It is heartwarming to know that there are people out there that are doing these kind gestures to help their fellow man,” said Inlow. “I don’t think his gesture was tied to the holiday season, but it certainly gave all of us a real boost of the holiday spirit and showed us what the real meaning of the season is.”
