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:
The 2023-2024 season is here! Audio Described performances will be on Friday evenings.
Please arrive by 7:00pm for the 7:30pm start time.
*Date Change* Sunday, December 10 - A Christmas Story (2:30pm matinee performance)
Tickets link: https://theatrelawrence.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=147
Book by Joseph Robinette | Music and lyrics by Benj Pask and Justin Paul
Based on the Warner Brothers movie and the book by Jean Shepherd
The perennial Christmas favorite! Set in the 1940’s, the musical follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas gifts—an Official Red Ryder BB gun. Watch for the tongue stuck to the flagpole; the snowsuit; the bullies, the leg lamp award; the bunny suit; the Christmas dinner, and other iconic moments.
Friday, January 26 - Dead Man's Cell Phone
Tickets link: https://theatrelawrence.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=148
A dramatic comedy by Sarah Ruhl
An incessantly ringing cell phone in a quiet café. A stranger at the next table who has had enough. And a dead man – with a lot of loose ends. `A wildly imaginative new story about how we memorialize the dead – and how that remembering changes us, as we confront assumptions about morality, redemption, and the need to connect in a technologically obsessed world.
Friday, March 8 - A Murder is Announced
Tickets link: https://theatrelawrence.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=149
A mystery by Agatha Christie | Adapted by Leslie Darbon
An announcement in the local paper states the time and place of an imminent murder. When an unknown visitor to Miss Blacklock’s Victorian home dies under the prescribed circumstances, Miss Marple turns up to solve the case in a classic Christie puzzle of mixed motives, concealed identities, twists and turns.
Friday, April 26 - I Hate Hamlet
Tickets link: https://theatrelawrence.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=150
A comedy by Paul Rudnick
A young and successful television actor relocates to New York where he is offered the opportunity to play Hamlet onstage. The problem: He Hates Hamlet. His dilemma deepens with the entrance of John Barrymore’s ghost, who arrives intoxicated and in full costume to the apartment that once was his. The contrast between the two actors leads to a wildly funny duel over women, art, success, duty, television, and the apartment.
Friday, June 14 - Fiddler on the Roof
Tickets link: https://theatrelawrence.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=151
Book by Joseph Stein | Music by Jerry Bock | Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
A musical theatre tradition! This is a tale of Tevye and his family in a changing Russia. The plight of traditional values in the face of changing social mores and ethnic prejudice cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion to touch audiences on a universal level with laughter, sadness and joy.
Location information: 4660 Bauer Farm Drive, Lawrence, KS
Tickets: 785-843-7469 or visit their website.
Contact Theatre Lawrence to request additional dates.
The Lied Center
Audio Description is available upon request. Request description when purchasing your tickets.
Location information: 1600 Stewart Drive, Lawrence, KS
Tickets: 785-864-2787 or visit their website.
Starlight Theater
* Check back in spring for the 2024 Summer Broadway Series *
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.
Location information: 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, MO
Tickets: 816-363-7827 or visit their website.
Night of the show contact - text 816-278-7827
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Check back soon for dates on future performances!
Learn more and get tickets at the Kauffman Center's Website or call the box office at tel:8169947222.
KCRep Theater
Description will be available for the 2023-2024 season. More details will be posted soon!
Location information: Spencer Theater - 4949 Cherry St, Kansas City, MO 64110
Tickets: +18162352700 or https://kcrep.org/.
Lawrence Arts Center
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.
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
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.
The most recent exhibit ended in January 2023.
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.