Tim Bray Theatre Company: audio described performances
Since 2015, Tim Bray Theatre Company has provided audio described performances. Audio description is a narration service where theatregoers are given headsets and can sit in the auditorium with the headphone in one ear, listening to the description alongside the show.
Provided by Audio Described Aotearoa, these shows at Tim Bray Theatre Company welcomed blind and low vision people, including students from BLENNZ (Blind Low Vision Education Network of New Zealand).
The company also offered touch tours before its shows. Touch tours enable blind or low vision audience members to get up close with elements of the production. They are guided around and invited to touch the set and props and meet the cast before the show.
The company’s touch tours began one hour before the performance and audience members were taken from the theatre foyer and guided on the stage for the tour. The tour lasted approximately 40 minutes and at the end, headsets were distributed and patrons shown to their seats.
The company also provided descriptive notes, which shared information about set, costumes, characters, and visual moments of the show. This provided greater access for blind and low vision audience members who couldn’t attend the audio described show.
Check out a video of the 2017 touch tour below, featuring BLENNZ students exploring the set, props, and costumes before the audio described production of Puff the Magic Dragon.
Resources
Check out this touch tour video of BLENNZ students exploring the set, props and costumes before the audio described production of “Puff the Magic Dragon” in 2017.
Touch tour video: Puff the Magic Dragon (2017)
Example PDF: Descriptive notes - Santa 2024 (PDF)
Open documentDownloadable Microsoft Word document. Opens in a separate application.
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