Upcoming Audio Description Events
The Audio-Reader Network provides trained Audio Describers for live events in Kansas City, Lawrence, and Topeka. The service is utilized primarily by people with vision loss; however, it can also be helpful for people with cognitive or learning disabilities, English language-learners, and people on the autism spectrum. Audio Description has also been shown to help with language development and active listening skills in children.
Upcoming Events/Performances:
#On the Mountaintop
Sunday, February 1 (2:00PM performance)
Tickets: https://www.theatrelawrence.com/the-mountaintop
Plot summary: On the eve of his assassination, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is visited by a mysterious stranger in this powerful reimagining of his final night. Set in a storm-lashed room at the Lorraine Motel, The Mountaintop is an intimate, poetic exploration of legacy, mortality, and the man behind the movement. A gripping and deeply human portrait of a legend at the crossroads of history.
Location: Theatre Lawrence
4660 Bauer Farms Rd., Lawrence, KS 66049
Box Office: (785) 843-7469.
#The Drum Closet
February 19 at 9:45 am and/or February 21 at 2 pm
Tickets: https://thecoterie.org/2025-2026-season/the-drum-closet/
Plot summary: The story follows two ambitious, Nigerian-American brothers. Though Timi is a freshman and Kareem is a senior, they both must learn how to survive the culture of their midwestern school and the obstacles of adolescence. Desperately trying to stay out of trouble, the brothers race to become drumline section leader and make their immigrant mother proud, all while learning how to be Black boys in a white world.
Location: The Coterie Theatre at Crown Center
2450 Grand Blvd, Suite 144, Kansas City, MO 64108-2520
Box Office: (816) 474-6552.
#Peppa Pig - My First Concert
Tuesday, March 10
5 pm - 6 pm Pre-show reception | 6:00 pm Showtime
Tickets: https://lied.ku.edu/event/peppa-pig-concert/
Plot summary: Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig and George are coming to the Lied Center of Kansas for Peppa Pig–My First Concert, a fun, interactive introduction to a live orchestra for ages 18 months and older. Peppa and George learn all about the different sounds that instruments make together and enjoy some of their favorite music from the show, as well as discovering some other exciting orchestral pieces from Mozart to Beethoven. Little piggies can join in with Peppa and her family and make music of their own!
Location: Lied Center of Kansas
1600 Stewart Dr., Lawrence, KS
Box Office: (785) 864-2787
#Starlight Theatre Summer Broadway 2026 season
#Hadestown
Friday, June 12 at 7:30 pm
#A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Experience
Friday, July 10 at 7:30 pm
#Monty Python's Spamalot
Friday, August 7 at 7:30 pm
#Disney's Newsies
Friday, September 11 at 7:30 pm
Starlight Theater
4600 Starlight Rd, Kansas City, MO
Tickets: www.kcstarlight.com
Box Office: 816-363-7827
Learn about the new Listen Everywhere Tech program now being used by Starlight on the Listen Tech Training Manual Page (pdf).
- To obtain a device, visit the Guest Information Kiosk located near Box 5 and across from the Merchandise Kiosk and leave your driver’s license or ID with the Starlight staff. After the show, please return your device to receive your ID.
- Note: for the best listening experience, you must be connected to the Starlight Listen Everywhere Wi-Fi. No other internet functionality will be available on the device while using the app.
- Night of the show contact - text 816-278-7827
*Theaters with no current performances scheduled but available by request*
Audio Description is available upon request. Request description when purchasing your tickets.
Tickets: +18162352700 or https://kcrep.org/.
Location information:
Spencer Theatre (UMKC Campus)
4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, MO 64110
OR
Copaken Stage (Downtown near Streetcar Power & Light/13th St. stop)
1 H&R Block Way, Kansas City, MO 64105
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
*Performances available By Request*
Location information:
1601 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108
Box Office 816-994-7222 | Kauffman Center's Website.
Flint Hills Shakespeare Festival
The Flint Hills Shakespeare Festival is a community based initiative focused on providing patrons with classical outdoor theater under the stars of Northeast Kansas.
**Contact the Flint Hills Shakespeare Festival to request audio description for any performance!**
Tickets online at flinthillsshakespearefestival.com
Audio Description is available upon request. Request description when purchasing your tickets.
Location information: 940 New Hampshire St, Lawrence, KS
Tickets: 785-843-2787 or visit their website.
Audio Description is available upon request. Request description when purchasing your tickets.
Location Information
Blue Springs South High School, 2000 NW Ashton Dr, Blue Springs, MO 64015
A video about accessibility, parking, and Guest Services at KC Starlight Theater
Additional description opportunities
Art Description
The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission’s Outdoor Downtown Sculpture Exhibition has a proud tradition. The exhibition was founded by Jim Patti in 1987 and is sponsored by the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission, which receives financial and staff support from the City of Lawrence. Artworks are displayed in downtown Lawrence, along Massachusetts Street, at Theatre Lawrence and in other areas.
Listen to the tour on the Audio-Reader Soundcloud Page
Museum Description
Watkins Community History Museum
1047 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044
Housed in a beautiful, historic building on the corner of 11th and Massachusetts Streets, the Watkins showcases unique and fascinating stories from Douglas County’s past. Admission is free to the public, and donations are appreciated. Visit their website to learn more and plan your visit at https://www.watkinsmuseum.org/visit/.
Dole Institute of Politics
2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS 66045
Select exhibits at the Dole Institute of Politics have audio description available. Patrons can access description by using a QR code reader downloaded to their smart phone. Visit their events page at https://doleinstitute.org/museum/tours-activities/ to schedule a tour. Virtual tours may also be available.
What is Audio Description?
From American Council of the Blind:
Audio Description aims to bring more meaning and enjoyment to entertainment, cultural, and educational experiences for blind and visually impaired people. The key is making visual imagery accessible. It’s used to enhance movies, television, media, theater and other live performances/events, museums, national parks, meetings, and educational programming. These visual elements can include action, costumes, settings, facial gestures ,facial expressions and other visually important images.
Learn more on our Audio Description About Page.