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Wild Swans ASL Performance

Accessibility

A.R.T. is dedicated to providing quality arts experiences for everyone.
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Venues

Accessibility at the Loeb Drama Center

64 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

The theater is fully wheelchair accessible with an automatic door from the sidewalk located near the corner of Brattle and Hilliard Streets. The lobby and entrance to the theater are at sidewalk level.

Rows that can be accessed without using stairs: The theater can be configured multiple ways: in Proscenium, HH and row A; in Half and Thrust, row A. (Please call for tickets)

Restrooms: An all-gender, wheelchair-accessible bathroom is located to the left as you face Ticket Services in the front lobby (ushers or reception desk personnel will direct you).

Hearing: The theater is equipped with an infrared amplification system for the hard of hearing. Headsets and accompanying headphones are available at the information desk. For patrons with a telecoil hearing aid, headsets and loops are also available – please set your personal hearing device to the “t” setting.

Vision: There is no obstructed view in the Loeb Drama Center, unless otherwise noted. We provide large print programs at every production and you can pick one up at our reception desk. Braille programs are available at performances with Audio Description, as well.

Inquiries are welcome at Access@amrep.org.

Access Performances

Purchase your tickets for our Audio Described, Open Captioned, ASL Interpreted, or Relaxed performances online, by email at Access@amrep.org, or via phone at 617.547.8300 and let the Ticket Services Representative know which performances you are interested in. Ticket Services hours are Tuesday – Sunday, noon – 5PM.

The Half-God of Rainfall

ASL Interpreted: September 20 at 7:30PM and September 24 at 2PM
Audio Described: September 21 at 7:30PM and September 23 at 2PM
Open Captioned: September 21 at 7:30PM and September 23 at 2PM

We apologize that we will not be able to provide relaxed services for this production on September 24 at 2PM.

Real Women Have Curves

ASL Interpreted: January 3 at 7:30PM and January 7 at 2PM
Audio Described: January 4 at 7:30PM and January 6 at 2PM
Open Captioned: January 4 at 7:30PM and January 6 at 2PM
Relaxed: January 7 at 2PM

Listen to Pre-show Audio Description

Becoming a Man

ASL Interpreted: March 3 at 2PM and March 6 at 7:30PM
Audio Described: March 2 at 2PM and March 7 at 7:30PM
Open Captioned: March 2 at 2PM and March 7 at 7:30PM
Relaxed: March 3 at 2PM

Gatsby

ASL Interpreted: July 10 at 7:30PM and July 14 at 2PM
Audio Described: June 27 at 7:30PM and June 29 at 2PM
Open Captioned: June 27 at 7:30PM and June 29 at 2PM
Relaxed: July 14 at 2PM

Types of Access

What Is ASL Interpretation?

American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language. With signing, the brain processes linguistic information through the eyes. The shape, placement, and movement of the hands, as well as facial expressions and body movements, all play important parts in conveying information.

Sign language is not a universal language – each country has its own sign language, and regions have dialects, much like the many languages spoken all over the world. Like any spoken language, ASL is a language with its own unique rules of grammar and syntax. Like all languages, ASL is a living language that grows and changes over time.

For ASL-interpreted performances, we collaborate with a Deaf ASL Coach, who translates the play into ASL. The Coach works with a team of certified ASL interpreters to develop and rehearse the ASL interpretation, which is performed live, either on or in close proximity to the stage.

Learn more at the National Association of the Deaf website

 

American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language. With signing, the brain processes linguistic information through the eyes. The shape, placement, and movement of the hands, as well as facial expressions and body movements, all play important parts in conveying information.

Sign language is not a universal language – each country has its own sign language, and regions have dialects, much like the many languages spoken all over the world. Like any spoken language, ASL is a language with its own unique rules of grammar and syntax. Like all languages, ASL is a living language that grows and changes over time.

For ASL-interpreted performances, we collaborate with a Deaf ASL Coach, who translates the play into ASL. The Coach works with a team of certified ASL interpreters to develop and rehearse the ASL interpretation, which is performed live, either on or in close proximity to the stage.

Learn more at the National Association of the Deaf website

 

What Is Audio Description?

Audio description helps to ensure that people who are blind or have low vision enjoy equal access to performances. Before the show, a trained describer details the visual elements of the production (costumes, set, props). Before the show, A.R.T. staff provides a “Touch Tour” where patrons can familiarize themselves first-hand with the textures, materials, props, and costumes used in the production. During the performance, a trained describer inserts descriptions of critical visual elements: actions, appearance of characters, body language, costumes, settings, lighting, etc. Descriptions are delivered through a wireless earphone allowing users to sit anywhere in the audience.

Audio description helps to ensure that people who are blind or have low vision enjoy equal access to performances. Before the show, a trained describer details the visual elements of the production (costumes, set, props). Before the show, A.R.T. staff provides a “Touch Tour” where patrons can familiarize themselves first-hand with the textures, materials, props, and costumes used in the production. During the performance, a trained describer inserts descriptions of critical visual elements: actions, appearance of characters, body language, costumes, settings, lighting, etc. Descriptions are delivered through a wireless earphone allowing users to sit anywhere in the audience.

What Is Open Captioning?

Open captioning is a text display of words and sounds heard during an event. A professional captioner prepares the captions ahead of time and runs the captions on an LED display live during the performance. The captioner has full control over the display of the captions, allowing for precise alignment with the text of the play. The display is positioned in such a way that it is open for anyone to see in a particular seating area. It is considered passive assistance, a service that is there to use or ignore. No one is labeled as needing the captioning with special equipment required at his/her seat.

Learn more at the Theatre Development Fund

Open captioning is a text display of words and sounds heard during an event. A professional captioner prepares the captions ahead of time and runs the captions on an LED display live during the performance. The captioner has full control over the display of the captions, allowing for precise alignment with the text of the play. The display is positioned in such a way that it is open for anyone to see in a particular seating area. It is considered passive assistance, a service that is there to use or ignore. No one is labeled as needing the captioning with special equipment required at his/her seat.

Learn more at the Theatre Development Fund

What Are Relaxed Performances?

Relaxed Performances, sometimes called Sensory Friendly Performances, are open to all audience members who could benefit from a more relaxed atmosphere at the theater. These performances feature a relaxed and inclusive attitude towards making sounds, moving, and using assistive devices; adjustments to the severity of sound and lighting cues; and quiet areas outside of the theater, for anyone who needs a break. A.R.T. works in consultation with an occupational therapist and other professionals to develop supports for each relaxed performance, which may include a social narrative and pre-show introduction to the characters. Relaxed performances offer accommodations to the theater-going experience and do not fundamentally alter the content of the productions.

Relaxed Performances, sometimes called Sensory Friendly Performances, are open to all audience members who could benefit from a more relaxed atmosphere at the theater. These performances feature a relaxed and inclusive attitude towards making sounds, moving, and using assistive devices; adjustments to the severity of sound and lighting cues; and quiet areas outside of the theater, for anyone who needs a break. A.R.T. works in consultation with an occupational therapist and other professionals to develop supports for each relaxed performance, which may include a social narrative and pre-show introduction to the characters. Relaxed performances offer accommodations to the theater-going experience and do not fundamentally alter the content of the productions.