Accessibility

Open Captioning displays the spoken word, sound effects, and any other audio portion of the production in text form. Captions appear on the captioning display in real-time synchronized to the action by an experienced captioner. Captioning display screens may be located onstage or anywhere above, below, or beside the stage depending on the specific theatre and the design and staging of the show.

Open Captioning is a type of “universal access” because it is available to anyone regardless of whether they have hearing loss or not. In fact, audiences without any hearing loss often find Open Captioning very helpful. You may miss a word when text is spoken or sung from off-stage, due to a strong accent or dialect, or if English is not your first language. In any case, Open Captioning offers a way for you to not miss a sound.

Similar to how Closed Captioning on television displays the spoken words, sound effects, and any other audio portion of the production in text form, Open Captions appear on a display in real-time synchronized to the action on stage by an experienced captioner. The location of the screen may change with each production depending upon set size, blocking and other artistic considerations.

Everyone!  While Open Captioning may be the only viable way for some patrons with severe hearing loss to enjoy the text of a play, even those with no hearing loss often find Open Captioning very helpful. You may miss a word when text is spoken or sung from off-stage, due to a strong accent or dialect, or if English is not your first language. In any case, Open Captioning offers a way for you to not miss a sound.

We try to position the captioning screen in each of our theatres just outside the “stage picture”.  For those not using the service, the screen can easily be “tuned out” while those who need to read the captions can easily watch both the captions and the action on stage.  Other theatres have found that patrons who can see the screen but did not plan to use Open Captioning often report finding it very useful.

Due to the various designs of individual productions, not all seats can necessarily see the captioning screen.  For those not appropriately seated to see the text, the caption screen simply looks like a black box and blends into the background.

2017/2018 Season

Billy Elliot – Saturday, October 28
Merrily We Roll Along – Saturday, February 17
Memphis – Saturday, May 12

Due to the various designs of individual productions, not all seats can necessarily see the captioning screen. To reserve seats with a clear view of the captions, please contact Dana Mroczek at dana@porchlightmusictheatre.org or at 773.777.9884 during business hours.

Open Captioning is scheduled for the fourth Saturday matinee and evening shows for each of our mainstage productions. For each production, special seating is reserved to provide the best sight line for those wishing to use this service. These reserved seats are only available through the Porchlight Music Theatre Office. Just mention that you are interested in Open Captioning.

No. Tickets to sit in the Open Captioning section are the same price as all other seats.

You don’t need a special ticket, but you do need to tell the Box Office when you order your tickets that you wish to use Open Captioning so that they seat you in a place for good viewing of the screen.

No equipment is required, just a seat in the Open Captioning viewing area. Check with the Porchlight Office 773.777.9884 to verify that you are in the viewing area.

Early arrival is not required, although we do recommend that all patrons arrive at least 20 minutes before the performance to allow time to park, get to the theatre, and find your seat.

We want as many people as possible to have the best possible experience at our performances and events. Open Captioning makes the theatre possible for a whole new audience and increases the accessibility for our existing audience.  

We’d love to talk with you more! Just call the Office at 773.777.9884 or send an email to dana@porchlightmusictheatre.org