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Lisa Carling

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Lisa Carling BIO

Lisa Carling joined TDF Accessibility Programs in 1983 and has been the department's director since the mid-'90s. She helps design and implement services that make theatre performances accessible to people with disabilities on Broadway, Off Broadway and nationwide. Ms. Carling runs a department that provides autism-friendly, open captioned, sign language-interpreted and audio described performances, as well as seating for theatregoers with mobility disabilities. She also oversees the TDF Veterans Theatregoing Program to ensure NYC's vets have the accessibility accommodations they need when attending shows.


Ms. Carling served on The Shubert Organization's Audience Services Advisory Committee for the implementation of GalaPro, an app that provides on-demand closed captioning and audio description; and currently serves on Bridge Multimedia's Advisory Group to review broadcast audio description for programming K-12. As a speaker, she has shared her experience in the accessibility field on theatre industry panels, at arts and disability conferences, BroadwayCon and the first-ever Broadway Accessibility Summit. In her previous career, Lisa performed with Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, CT, and Classic Stage Company in New York, and also did TV and film.

Lisa Carling STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
1976
Beryl Stapelton

[Off-Broadway]
1975
Ismene

[Off-Broadway]
1975
Sofia

[Off-Broadway]
1975
Thea Elvsted

[Off-Broadway]
1975
Sister/ Mariana


Lisa Carling News


Classic Stage Company And Fiasco Theater Partner With TDF To Present Sensory Friendly Performance Of PERICLES


Classic Stage Company and Fiasco Theater partner with TDF to present a sensory-friendly performance of PERICLES on March 10th.

BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL, A BEAUTIFUL NOISE & More to Take Part in TDF's 2023-24 Veterans Theatregoing Program


Discover the shows featured in TDF's 2023-24 Veterans Theatregoing Program, including BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL and A BEAUTIFUL NOISE. Learn how veterans can attend these exciting performances and find out all the details about this initiative supporting veteran theatregoers.

MJ: THE MUSICAL, THE LION KING & More Join TDF's 2023-24 Season of Autism Friendly Performances


TDF, the not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts, will present its 12th season of Autism Friendly Performances for individuals on the autism spectrum or with other developmental or cognitive disabilities. Learn how to purchase tickets!

HADESTOWN to Host First-Ever Autism Friendly Performance in Partnership with TDF


Find out when and where you can catch the first-ever autism friendly performance of the hit musical HADESTOWN, presented in partnership with TDF. Get all the details here.

SIX to Host Its First-Ever Autism Friendly Performance, Presented by TDF


TDF will host the first-ever autism-friendly performance of the Broadway smash musical hit, SIX on Sunday, June 11 at 1pm at the Lena Horne Theatre.

TDF to Present First-Ever Autism Friendly Performance of New York City Ballet's THE NUTCRACKER


TDF will host the first-ever autism-friendly performance of New York City Ballet's production of The Nutcracker. Tailored for families with members on the autism spectrum or with other developmental or cognitive disabilities, this special matinee will be presented on Sunday, November 27 at 1 p.m. at Lincoln Center's David  H. Koch Theater. 

BEETLEJUICE, SIX, 1776 & More to Participate in 2022-23 TDF Veterans Theatregoing Program


TDF is launching the 2022-23 season of their TDF Veterans Theatregoing Program. Program participants will see 1776 on Saturday, October 1 at 2 p.m., SIX on Wednesday, October 5 at 7 p.m., Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Tuesday, October 11 at 7 p.m., Cost of Living on Wednesday, October 19 at 7 p.m., and more.

THE LION KING, WICKED & More to Take Part in TDF's 11th Season of Autism Friendly Performances


TDF is presenting their 11th season of Autism Friendly Performances for individuals on the autism spectrum or with other developmental or cognitive disabilities. The season begins on Sunday, October 2 at 1 p.m. with The Lion King.

TDF's Lisa Carling Will Receive Award For Lifetime Achievement in Arts and Accessibility


Longtime Director of TDF Accessibility Programs, LISA CARLING, is being celebrated for her exemplary work in arts and accessibility. 

BWW Interview: TDF's Director of Accessibility Lisa Carling on the Importance of Autism-Friendly Performances, and More


April is Autism Acceptance Month, and to honor that, BroadwayWorld is highlighting TDF's Accessibility Programs Department. We chatted with the Director of Accessibility, Lisa Carling, about what the department does, the importance of sensory-friendly programming, any upcoming projects the team is working on, and much more.

TDF to Present Autism Friendly Performance of COME FROM AWAY


TDF will present the first in-person autism friendly performance of a Broadway shows in almost 2 years with COME FROM AWAY on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at 1pm at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Autism friendly performances provide access for families with children and adults on the autism spectrum and other developmental disabilities.

TDF Announces the Recipients of the FY 2022 TAP-Plus Grants


Founded in 1999, TAP-Plus awards grants of up to $5,000 for open captioning services to eligible cultural organizations throughout New York State. Any institution that currently receives NYSCA funding is eligible to apply for a TAP-Plus grant.

TDF Announces Return of Autism Friendly Performances on Broadway


TDF today announced the return of its in-person autism friendly performances of Broadway shows for families with children and adults on the autism spectrum and other developmental disabilities.

TDF Autism Friendly Performances to Present LITTLE B'S BROADWAY


TDF’s Autism Friendly Performances will present Little B’s Broadway, a virtual theatrical experience for families with children and adults on the autism spectrum on Sunday, December 12 at 1pm. Created by Becca Yuré, Little B’s Broadway will be the third show TDF has presented starring this much-loved character.

TDF Veterans Theatregoing Program 2021-2022 Season Announced


TDF is launching the 2021-22 season of the TDF Veterans Theatregoing Program. To date, ten Broadway shows have committed to providing tickets for our city’s veterans at low cost for this program this season.

SANTA AND LITTLE B: ZOOM FOR THE HOLIDAYS Returns This Sunday


TDF presents Santa and Little B: Zoom for the Holidays!, a FREE special virtual holiday experience.  Becca Yuré has created the original music and dialogue which features professional Santa Claus, Ricky Dain Jones. The show is for families with children and adults on the autism spectrum who have previously attended TDF's autism-friendly performances. 

TDF to Present SANTA AND LITTLE B: ZOOM FOR THE HOLIDAYS!


This Sunday, December 13 at 1:00 pm TDF will present Santa and Little B: Zoom for the Holidays!, a FREE special virtual holiday experience.  

TDF Presents SANTA AND LITTLE B: ZOOM FOR THE HOLIDAYS!


TDF will present Santa and Little B: Zoom for the Holidays!, a special virtual holiday experience for families with children and adults on the autism spectrum who have previously attended TDF’s autism-friendly performances on Broadway. There will be two performances to choose from: Sunday, December 13 at 1pm and Sunday, December 20 at 1pm. 

TDF Presents THE MAGIC OF KEVIN SPENCER Via Zoom For Families Who Have Attended TDF Autism-Friendly Performances


In order to engage with the families with children and adults with sensory sensitivity who have attended TDF's autism-friendly performances, TDF will host The Magic of Kevin Spencer, a virtual performance via Zoom on Sunday, October 4.

TDF Launches Third Season of the TDF Veterans Theatregoing Program


Last night, TDF, the not-for-profit service organization dedicated to bringing the power of the performing arts to everyone, launched the third season of its TDF Veterans Theatregoing Program. TDF partners exclusively with veteran group organizations in the city who distribute a limited number of tickets to Broadway shows at no cost to their constituents. Post-performance talkbacks are planned, when possible, and complimentary TDF Memberships are provided to participating veterans so they can continue their theatregoing at greatly reduced costs.

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