The Guthrie Offers Open Caption Performances Nov. 8 & 10

Striving to make performances accessible to all patrons, the Guthrie will open caption upcoming performances of The Home Place on November 8 at 7:30PM and Jane Eyre on November 10 at 1PM. Tickets for this service are priced from $17 to $27 and are on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612-377-2224 (voice), toll-free 877-44-STAGE (voice) and 612-377-6626 (TTY for patrons who are deaf).

Open captioning is a general term used to describe text displayed simultaneous to live speech, dialogue or performance. As opposed to closed captioning, which requires special equipment for viewing, Open captioning can be seen by anyone via a screen placed adjacent to the stage. The system has gained world-wide attention and support for its universal appeal, while introducing a wave of new audiences and offering opportunities to those who can finally return to the theater.

Guthrie performances will be captioned by c2 (caption coalition) inc, a consultant and service provider of Live Performance Captioning and CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation) Captioning for hard of hearing and deaf users at live theatrical and arts events. To date, c2 members have captioned 600+ theatrical productions in more than 150 venues.

For the open captioned performances, a 4-foot wide screen will display dialogue from the show in real-time. This unique system allows the theater to expand its menu of access services. Currently, the Guthrie offers ASL interpretation, audio description, sensory tours, wheelchair and companion seating, courtesy wheelchairs and fully accessible public restrooms. In addition, the Level 4 Service Center offers the following equipment (at no charge) for all performances:

  - FM receivers for hearing assistance and audio descriptions
  - High magnification (2.8X) glasses to benefit patrons who lose vision clarity from a distance
  - Audio cassette tapes, Braille and large print programs and brochures.

Access programs at the Guthrie are sponsored by Xcel Energy Foundation, with additional support by Allianz Life Insurance.

The Guthrie is located at 818 South 2nd Street (at Chicago Avenue), in downtown Minneapolis. To purchase tickets or season subscriptions call the Guthrie Box Office between 10AM-8PM daily at 612-377-2224 (voice), toll-free 877-44-STAGE (voice) and 612-377-6626 (TTY). For more information, or to purchase tickets online, visit www.guthrietheater.org.