Accessible Shakespeare performances on the Common this summer
Sue Schy writes in hearatboston@googlegroups.com:
Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (CSC) is pleased to continue its Common Access Initiative as part of its 24th season of “Free Shakespeare on the Common.” Cymbeline runs July 17 – August 4 on the Boston Common. CSC is committed to keeping theatre accessible – financially, geographically, and artistically – as well as inclusive for patrons of all abilities. CSC has offered at least one American Sign Language (ASL) performance nearly every season since its founding in 1996, and in recent years has had the opportunity to meaningfully expand its disability access programming and offerings. At every performance, there are reserved, accessible seating areas for patrons and their guests, in addition to complementary large-print programs and assisted listening devices.
Open Captioned performance: Friday, July 26 (Raindate: Sat, July 27)
Audio Described performance + Tactile Tour: Saturday, August 3 (3pm); (Raindate: Sun, Aug 4)
ASL Interpreted performances: Friday, Aug 2 + Saturday, August 3 (8pm); (Raindate: Sun, Aug 4)
Open-Captioning provided by c2 captioning service will be held on at Friday, July 26 at 8 pm.
Raindate will be Saturday, July 27 at 8pm. Equipment will be set-up of the house left side of the stage.
The Audio-Described performance with interpretation by Cori Couture and Andrea Doane will be held Saturday, August 3 at 3pm; Raindate will be Sunday, August 4 at 7pm. Headsets and Braille playbill will be made available for blind and low-vision patrons, and can be collected at the Information Tent to the left of the stage. In addition to the performance, there will be a free backstage, tactile tour for blind and low-vision patrons and their guests beginning at 1:45pm. No registration is necessary. Guests should meet at the Information Tent a few minutes before the tour is scheduled to begin. CSC staff will be on hand to help guide patrons on the tour.
The ASL-Interpreted performances will be held on Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3 at 8pm; Raindate will be Sunday, Aug 4 at 7pm. ASL Interpretation team will include Shana Gibbs as ASL Coach and Christopher Robinson will be returning as Lead Interpreter.
In addition to the programming listed above, there will be many services available at all performances to enhance the patron experience. ADA-compliant cable-guards have been purchased to make all pathways easier to navigate for patrons using wheelchairs and walkers, and there will be several seating areas designated throughout the Common for patrons using wheelchairs and their companions. Finally, large print programs and assisted listening devices will be available at all performances at the Information Tent.