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.
A Screen-Reader Friendly list of upcoming AD events is available on:
https://audioreader.net/audiodescription
The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!
AD Scheduled for:
- Thursday, December 10 at 10:00 am,
- Saturday, December 12 at 2:00 pm.,
- or by request with the Box Office!
A Coterie Rolling World Premiere!
When Mo Willems’ characters get together for the holidays, it’s bound to be the biggest extravaganza ever!
The Unlimited Squirrels deck the halls and Elephant and Piggie come ready to celebrate! But will The Pigeon join in the festivities, or will he run all the way to the North Pole in search of the greatest gift ever? Terrific tunes, silly stories, goofy gifts, audience antics: it’s all in this brand-new musical party that sleighs!
The Coterie Theatre at Crown Center
2450 Grand Blvd., Crown Center Suite 144, KCMO
Tickets: https://thecoterie.org/2026-2027-season/pigeon-holiday-extravaganza/
Box Office: (816) 474-6552
The Wizard of Oz
Friday, December 11 | 7:30 PM performance
There’s no place like Oz in this magical stage adaptation of the beloved film. Featuring the classic songs and cherished characters that have made it an enduring favorite, The Wizard of Oz is a journey filled with adventure, heart, and imagination. A joyful theatrical experience for the whole family. Dorothy’s journey down the yellow brick road continues to enchant audiences of all ages with its timeless story of friendship, courage, and finding home.
Theatre Lawrence
4660 Bauer Farms Drive, Lawrence, Kansas
Tickets: https://www.theatrelawrence.com/wizard-of-oz
Box Office: (785) 843-7469
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
AD scheduled for Saturday, December 19, 5:00 PM performance
One winter at the North Pole, Christmas nearly went belly-up. Like... cancel-the-whole-thing belly-up. Luckily, Sam the Snowman is here to tell us how it all happened, because apparently snowmen keep excellent records.
Welcome to Christmastown, where Santa is busy Santa-ing, Mrs. Claus is trying to get him to eat something that is not just cookies, and the elves are cranking out toys like tiny, musical, union-adjacent machines. Into all this holiday hustle comes Rudolph, a baby reindeer born with one very noticeable feature: a bright red nose that lights up like a festive warning beacon.
Theatre in the Park Indoors
Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center
8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Kansas
Tickets: https://www.theatreinthepark.org/2414/Rudolph-The-Red-Nosed-Reindeer
Box Office: (913) 826-3012
About attending a show at the Arts & Heritage Center
________________
Theaters with no current performances scheduled but AD is available by request
Starlight Theater
4600 Starlight Rd, Kansas City, MO
Tickets: www.kcstarlight.com
Box Office: 816-363-7827
How to use ListenTech at Starlight
Step 1: Download the ListenWIFI App through your phones App Store or Google Play Store (free to download)
Step 2: Go to your phone's WIFI options and select Starlight's "Listen Anywhere Wifi"
Step 3: Open the ListenWIFI App and select "Scan Venue"
Step 4: Two options should appear: select the second option Audio Description
Audio Description is available upon request. Request description when purchasing your tickets.
Location information
Spencer Theatre (UMKC Campus): 4949 Cherry St., Kansas City, MO 64110
Copaken Stage (Streetcar Power & Light/13th St. stop): 1 H&R Block Way, Kansas City, MO 64105
Tickets: +18162352700 or https://kcrep.org/.
Blue Springs City Theatre/The Penguin Project
Audio Description is available upon request. Request description when purchasing your tickets.
Tickets and information: https://bluespringscitytheatre.org/penguin-project-with-bsct/
Performance location: Blue Springs South High School, 2000 NW Ashton Dr, Blue Springs, MO 64015
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Audio Description is available upon request. Request description when purchasing your tickets.
Kauffman location: 1601 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108
Box Office: (816) 994-7222
Website: www.kauffmancenter.org
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: 1600 Stewart Dr., Lawrence, KS 66045
Tickets: 785-864-2787 or visit their 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.
Audio Description is available upon request. Request description when purchasing your tickets.
Tickets online at flinthillsshakespearefestival.com
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.