he Kansas Arts Commission, local performing arts venues, and the Audio-Reader Network have teamed up to provide AUDIO DESCRIPTION at many live performances in Lawrence, Topeka and Kansas City. Describers broadcast into tiny headphones available free to anyone who needs them.
Before the show starts, describers read the printed program, and describe the theater layout, stage, lighting, and costumes. During the performance, important and relevant visual information is discreetly described. The goal is to provide visually impaired audience members with important details of the action on stage, without interfering with the show, either music or sung or spoken actor lines.
The describers should be able to attend a preview performance (or preferably two), and have access to backstage and costumes before the described perfomance. Generally only one performance will be audio described, usually the last night of that particular show, to allow the describers to attend an earlier performance to prepare for the described show.
To provide Audio Description, a theater must have a transmission system, either in-house infrared or a portable FM system, or the system can be rented from the Audio-Reader Network. The volunteers who do the actual audio description are not paid. However, there may be a charge to a theater for providing the service. Please call us for more information about providing audio describers and transmission equipment for theater events.
For more information about Audio Description of live theater performances in Lawrence, northeast Kansas, and the Kansas City area, call the Audio-Reader Network, at:
or toll-free from midAmerica at:
1 • 800 • 772 • 8898
Lawrence/Kansas City area schedule of performances which will feature Audio Description
June 21, 2004
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