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TDF_OC_brochure_Nov2010:Layout 1 11/11/10 10:39 AM Page 1

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT? MAKING A DIFFERENCE

ADA COMPLIANCE TDF SPONSORSHIP ON BROADWAY Under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act “Open captioning has become a welcome (ADA), both the facility and the presenter/producer service for Theatre Club’s Family Matinee Series at the Biltmore Theatre on have a legal obligation to provide effective commu- Broadway and provides an opportunity for nication for someone with a disability that does not people with hearing loss to enjoy shows that they otherwise fundamentally alter the nature of the product being would not be able to attend .” OPEN offered or cause an undue burden to the venue. —David Shookhoff, Manhattan Theatre Club, New York, NY As cited in the ADA Technical Assistance Manual, CAPTIONIN G

open captioning is one of the examples of auxiliary TDF SPONSORSHIP ACROSS THE U.S. “Those of us here at the Broward Center for FOR THEATRE aids and services that promote effective communication the Performing Arts are delighted to be able to for people who are hard of hearing or deaf. bring live open captioned performances to our BASIC REFERENCE GUIDE community. ‘Amazing, thrilling and awesome!’ BENEFITS TO A WIDER AUDIENCE are just some of the comments made by those People who are hard of hearing or deaf having experienced this new medium.” Over 36 million people in the United States have —Garry Novick, Broward Center for the a hearing loss, about 17% of the population. The Performing Arts, Ft. Lauderdale, FL majority of these individuals, 98-99%, use oral TDF SPONSORSHIP OFF BROADWAY language rather than American Sign Language. “Playwrights Horizons open (Resource: Hearing Loss Association of America) captioning program would not be Individuals developing a gradual hearing loss possible without support from TDF with age who do not identify themselves as hard of and TAP Plus .* It has enabled us to better serve theatregoers who are hard of hearing or deaf.” hearing or deaf. Only one out of five people who —Sue Ferziger, Playwrights Horizons, New York, NY could benefit from a hearing aid actually wears one. Hearing audience members, children learning *TAP Plus is an open captioning grants program managed by TDF in partnership with the New York State Council on the to read and individuals studying English as Arts for eligible organizations in NY State. a Second Language The backup of words on a text display helps anyone For more information on open captioning for theatre, who may miss occasional words within rapid please contact: song lyrics, heavily accented dialogue, technical descriptions or foreign phrases. Lisa Carling, Director of TDF Accessibility Programs 520 Eighth Avenue, Suite 801, New York, NY 10018-6507 Tel: (212) 912-9770, ext. 380 • E-mail: [email protected]

Broadway production of (below) and Broadway production of The Producers (on cover) www.tdf.org OPEN A service of Open captioning provided by c2(Caption Coalition) Inc. Theatre CAPTIONING Development TDF would like to thank the following major donors for TDF Accessibility Fund Programs their generous support of open captioning: • Theodore H. Barth Foundation, Inc. • Louise & Ardé Bulova Fund, Inc. • Laurene W. Levine Foundation, Inc.

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HOW DOES IT WORK? HOW DO YOU MARKET TICKETS FOR IT?

EQUIPMENT SEAT LOCATIONS A portable LED (light emitting diode) text display Designating orchestra seats closer to the stage usually connects to a laptop computer that is equipped with provides the best opportunity for people with hearing a special software program. From the keyboard, loss to read the open captioning in tandem with the Open captioning is a service for people a live operator triggers pre-scripted text onto the actors’ lips and facial expressions. with hearing loss that uses a text display display from the laptop in synchronization with the TICKET PRICING actors for an “in the moment” translation. For to provide a simultaneous transcription If possible, making a discounted ticket price available improvisational performances, the operator also for seats in the open captioning section of the orchestra of dialogue and lyrics during a live uses a stenotype machine to input the performers’ helps to compensate for the lack of less expensive performance, as well as a description words verbatim that then appear on the LED display. seating options available to people with hearing loss. This “real-time” transcription is known as CART of any sound effects on stage. Some individuals may just be able to afford mezzanine (Communication Access Real-time Translation). or balcony prices while the service being provided for Also needed are: a copy of the script, preferably them is helpful only if they are sitting closer in the The service is open to everyone for an electronic version, in advance for pre-scripted orchestra. Also, if discounted orchestra tickets are viewing in a designated seating area performances; a regular 120 volt power line; and already being made available to the general public, a stand for the display. without any special equipment needed by e.g., through subscriptions, special group rates, the audience member. Because of this, POSITIONING and credit card offers, providing similar discount open captioning is considered passive To avoid eye strain, it’s best to position the text opportunities for open captioning encourages a new audience. assistance and is part of the Universal display at the same depth of field as the stage that people are watching and at the same eye level with PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL Design concept, which means that it can the actors; e.g., at the side of the stage by the Use of the OC logo (open captioning) on brochures be used by all people, regardless of age proscenium, on the stage in an unused area or, for and Web listings for the general public, additional a thrust stage, on the opposite side so viewers look or ability. advertising through local service organizations for across the stage to read the open captioning. people with hearing loss, and a brief description of open OPERATOR captioning in press releases, all help in marketing the The open captioning is provided by a professionally service. Many people with hearing loss are not aware trained operator who is skilled in script that open captioning is even an option for theatre, and re-formatting, exact timing with the actors and, most hearing individuals usually know of at least one when needed, the ability to provide CART. person with hearing loss who might benefit from open captioning.

(From left to right) Broadway production of 42nd Street , Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall production of , Broadway productions of Movin’ Out , The Music Man and The Phantom of the Opera