Accessibility and Inclusion Efforts at the Walpole Footlighters!
Accessibility Survey
The Walpole Footlighters have provided “Quality Theater Close to Home” for 100 years. As we move into our second century of community theater, we have a long-range goal to make our productions more accessible and welcoming. Please fill out our Accessibility Survey so we can plan accommodations that will best meet the needs of our community.
About 20% of the U.S. population experiences disability during their life span. By prioritizing accessibility, we not only comply with legal requirements but also widen our audience and enhance overall satisfaction. We can ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can access and engage in theater effectively.
Here are some terms to be aware of as you fill out the survey.
Access and accessibility are two terms often used interchangeably, but with distinct meanings when discussing disability. Understanding the difference is crucial for creating an inclusive and accessible environment.
Access refers to the ability to enter, use, or take advantage of something. In the context of theater, it means being able to have the ability to navigate and interact with the production content effectively.
Accessibility focuses on removing barriers and ensuring equal access for all individuals, regardless of their abilities. For theater, accessibility involves considering the diverse needs and preferences of users and creating inclusive solutions that will accommodate them.
Accommodation: something that meets a need.
Fill out the survey here: Accessibility Survey
Overview
Last year, Footlighters started on a journey of trying to make the theatre more accessible to all of our audiences. Cynthia Small, a longtime Footlighter, is heading up this initiative.
Cynthia is a local professional voice actor who has been involved with community theatre for over 20 years. Since the pandemic, she has trained and worked in Audio Description, with the intention to make theatre more accessible to people who are blind or have low vision. Part of how she has begun to bring this to Walpole is by having a touch table in the lobby for each of the shows of our present season.
A touch table provides blind or low vision audience members with a chance to physically examine and interact with the props that actors use onstage. To do this, Cynthia gathered props (or duplicates, when available) used in She Loves Me, A Christmas Carol, and The Mousetrap. She provided descriptions of when and how these items are used during the show, which is important for an audience member to know— many props onstage are vital to understanding what is happening in the plot, and being able to understand what they are and how they are used fills in context gaps that would otherwise be missing for an audience member who can't see them during the performance.
Inclusivity measures like touch tables, audio description, and sensory-friendly performances are easier to find in larger or urban theatres, but in community theatre, it is currently less common. However, Cynthia describes a burgeoning and quickly developing area: “There are very active facebook and LinkedIn groups that I belong to to share resources and questions. I have to say that people in this field are passionate about their work and have been more than willing to share their expertise. Now I am building the same kind of network in live theater.”
Our hope is that touch tables and audio description (which will be featured in next month's newsletter!) are just the beginning for the Footlighters
Accessibility Measures:
Touch Table
A Touch Table is a live interactive display designed to provide ways for our blind and low vision audience members to experience visual elements of the show. All audience members are invited to handle, touch, smell and listen to the curated items. Each display is uniquely created to enrich our mainstage shows with costume, prop and scenic elements. Everyone benefits from the multi-sensory connections they make to the world they are about to enter.
Pictured: The touch table from She Loves Me
Touch Tour
A Touch Tour is a guided opportunity for blind/low vision and other patrons to walk on the stage prior to a performance. Participants are encouraged to feel set pieces, sit on set décor, handle props and costumes, and ask questions. Members of the cast or crew may be available to answer questions and describe pieces personally. Advance registration is recommended, as tour slots are limited. To register, please email [email protected].
Parking
Handicapped Parking is designated in front of the Playhouse for patrons with placards.
Passengers may be dropped off in front of the theater.
Hearing Assist
Hearing Enhancement Devices to amplify sound are available at the Box Office for all performances.
Program
The Show Program is available in digital form for each show. It is screen reader friendly and can be downloaded to be read at your convenience.
Pre-Show Notes
Pre-Show Notes are detailed descriptions of the set and props, where things are located, costumes and color stories, information about what the characters look like, how they move and their relationships to one another. Pre-show notes are provided online for anyone who benefits by knowing the lay of the land in advance.
Sensory/Content Warning List
Sensory/Content Warning List – For the comfort of our patrons, a detailed list of loud or sudden sound cues, abrupt changes in lighting and sensitive content are provided online. They can be read prior to the show or accessed by a QR code located in the program and at the theater, for use before the show begins.
Contact
For any other questions or concerns contact [email protected].
For specific questions regarding seating, please contact the box office directly [email protected] or leave a message at 508-668-8446.
We invite you to click our donate tab and make a donation to go towards our continued efforts with accessibility and inclusion!
The Walpole Footlighters have provided “Quality Theater Close to Home” for 100 years. As we move into our second century of community theater, we have a long-range goal to make our productions more accessible and welcoming. Please fill out our Accessibility Survey so we can plan accommodations that will best meet the needs of our community.
About 20% of the U.S. population experiences disability during their life span. By prioritizing accessibility, we not only comply with legal requirements but also widen our audience and enhance overall satisfaction. We can ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can access and engage in theater effectively.
Here are some terms to be aware of as you fill out the survey.
Access and accessibility are two terms often used interchangeably, but with distinct meanings when discussing disability. Understanding the difference is crucial for creating an inclusive and accessible environment.
Access refers to the ability to enter, use, or take advantage of something. In the context of theater, it means being able to have the ability to navigate and interact with the production content effectively.
Accessibility focuses on removing barriers and ensuring equal access for all individuals, regardless of their abilities. For theater, accessibility involves considering the diverse needs and preferences of users and creating inclusive solutions that will accommodate them.
Accommodation: something that meets a need.
Fill out the survey here: Accessibility Survey
Overview
Last year, Footlighters started on a journey of trying to make the theatre more accessible to all of our audiences. Cynthia Small, a longtime Footlighter, is heading up this initiative.
Cynthia is a local professional voice actor who has been involved with community theatre for over 20 years. Since the pandemic, she has trained and worked in Audio Description, with the intention to make theatre more accessible to people who are blind or have low vision. Part of how she has begun to bring this to Walpole is by having a touch table in the lobby for each of the shows of our present season.
A touch table provides blind or low vision audience members with a chance to physically examine and interact with the props that actors use onstage. To do this, Cynthia gathered props (or duplicates, when available) used in She Loves Me, A Christmas Carol, and The Mousetrap. She provided descriptions of when and how these items are used during the show, which is important for an audience member to know— many props onstage are vital to understanding what is happening in the plot, and being able to understand what they are and how they are used fills in context gaps that would otherwise be missing for an audience member who can't see them during the performance.
Inclusivity measures like touch tables, audio description, and sensory-friendly performances are easier to find in larger or urban theatres, but in community theatre, it is currently less common. However, Cynthia describes a burgeoning and quickly developing area: “There are very active facebook and LinkedIn groups that I belong to to share resources and questions. I have to say that people in this field are passionate about their work and have been more than willing to share their expertise. Now I am building the same kind of network in live theater.”
Our hope is that touch tables and audio description (which will be featured in next month's newsletter!) are just the beginning for the Footlighters
Accessibility Measures:
Touch Table
A Touch Table is a live interactive display designed to provide ways for our blind and low vision audience members to experience visual elements of the show. All audience members are invited to handle, touch, smell and listen to the curated items. Each display is uniquely created to enrich our mainstage shows with costume, prop and scenic elements. Everyone benefits from the multi-sensory connections they make to the world they are about to enter.
Pictured: The touch table from She Loves Me
Touch Tour
A Touch Tour is a guided opportunity for blind/low vision and other patrons to walk on the stage prior to a performance. Participants are encouraged to feel set pieces, sit on set décor, handle props and costumes, and ask questions. Members of the cast or crew may be available to answer questions and describe pieces personally. Advance registration is recommended, as tour slots are limited. To register, please email [email protected].
Parking
Handicapped Parking is designated in front of the Playhouse for patrons with placards.
Passengers may be dropped off in front of the theater.
Hearing Assist
Hearing Enhancement Devices to amplify sound are available at the Box Office for all performances.
Program
The Show Program is available in digital form for each show. It is screen reader friendly and can be downloaded to be read at your convenience.
Pre-Show Notes
Pre-Show Notes are detailed descriptions of the set and props, where things are located, costumes and color stories, information about what the characters look like, how they move and their relationships to one another. Pre-show notes are provided online for anyone who benefits by knowing the lay of the land in advance.
Sensory/Content Warning List
Sensory/Content Warning List – For the comfort of our patrons, a detailed list of loud or sudden sound cues, abrupt changes in lighting and sensitive content are provided online. They can be read prior to the show or accessed by a QR code located in the program and at the theater, for use before the show begins.
Contact
For any other questions or concerns contact [email protected].
For specific questions regarding seating, please contact the box office directly [email protected] or leave a message at 508-668-8446.
We invite you to click our donate tab and make a donation to go towards our continued efforts with accessibility and inclusion!