Audio Description Brings Performances to Life for Visually Limited At Asolo

Theatre performances are typically brimming with exciting visual elements; the costumes, props,
sets, lighting effects and of course the characters themselves all help tell the story. But for audience members who are sight-impaired or blind, just hearing the onstage dialogue without visual references can be confusing and frustrating.

At Asolo Repertory Theatre, trained volunteers are providing Audio Description services through a
sophisticated transmitting system, providing more clarity and enhancing the experience for those who are sight impaired.

The process is relatively simple: audio describers talk via small FM radios or infrared transmitters that are broadcast to visually limited and blind patrons through headsets. The theatregoers can pick up the headsets or transmitters from the House Manager before the performance and all they have to do is sit back and enjoy the show.

Narration begins even before the lights go down, describing everything the audience sees on stage before curtain. Throughout the performance, the volunteer audio describers ensure that listeners hear descriptions of actions, body language, lights and costumes, while audience members around them are not disturbed. The process not only engages theatregoers in new ways, but adds to the number of patrons that can be genuinely affected by the arts.

Audio described services are provided for two performances during each production (one evening and one Sunday matinee performance) for both Asolo Rep Mainstage and the Asolo/FSU Conservatory. The audio described dates for the 2011-2012 season are listed here:

Asolo Rep Sunday matinees Wednesday
My Fair Lady 12/4 12/7
Once in a Lifetime 2/19 2/15
God of Carnage 2/12 2/22
Yentl 3/11 3/14
Fallen Angels 4/22 4/25
Hamlet, Prince of Cuba 4/15 4/18
FSU/Asolo Conservatory
Brothers Karamazov 11/20 11/16
Lobby Hero 1/15 1/18
The Robbers 3/4 3/7
Cloud Nine --- 4/11

Tickets for these performances can be purchased by calling the Asolo Rep box office at 941.351.8000 or by visiting www.asolorep.org.

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