LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES ACCESSIBILITY INITIATIVE TO INLCUDE OPEN CAPTION PERFORMANCES, BRAILLE PROGRAMS, TOUCH TOURS, AND AUDIO-DESCRIBED PERFORMANCES

image001Lookingglass Theatre Company launches an accessibility initiative in conjunction with the Theatre Development Fund. As part of the initiative, Lookingglass will now provide open captioning, Braille program books, touch tours and audio-described performances for all of its productions, in an effort to better serve its audience members with visual and hearing impairments.

“The last sentence of Lookingglass’ mission states ‘We seek to redefine the limits of theatrical experience and to make theatre exhilarating, inspirational, and accessible to all.’  Opening our performances to people with visual and hearing impairments is the logical next step towards furthering that mission, as we seek to lower any barriers to anyone enjoying the thrill and delight of live theater.  We’re delighted to be able to take this initiative thanks to the support of TDF and the partnership of many of our colleagues in the Chicago theater community,” says Artistic Director Andrew White.

Accessible performance dates for 2014:

The Little Prince

January 19, 2014

Touch tour at 1:30pm

Audio-described performance at 3:00pm

January 26, 2014

Open captioned performance at 3:00pm

In the Garden

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Touch tour at 1:30pm

Audio-described performance at 3:00pm

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Open captioned performance at 3:00pm

Partial support for open captioning provided by Theatre Development Fund.

About purchasing accessible tickets

Group Sale purchases are available for accessible performances, including special rates for educational institutions and no per ticket handling fees. Contact groupsales@lookingglasstheatre.org or call 312.337.0665 x0.

To purchase accessible tickets online, please select the “Open Caption Line-of-sight” section and enter the discount code CAPTION for the access discount. Discounted season subscriptions with open captioning are also available on the website.

For more information on Lookingglass’ accessibility performances, please visit www.lookingglasstheatre.org.

About Lookingglass Theatre Company

Inventive.  Collaborative.  Transformative.  Lookingglass Theatre Company, recipient of the 2011 Regional Theatre Tony Award, was founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students.  Now in its 26th season, Lookingglass is home to a multi-disciplined ensemble of artists who create story-centered theatrical work that is physical, aurally rich and visually metaphoric. The Company has staged 61 world premieres, received 101 Joseph Jefferson awards and nominations, and work premiered at Lookingglass has been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, Berkeley, Philadelphia, Princeton, Hartford, Kansas City, Washington D.C., and St. Louis.  Lookingglass original scripts have been produced across the United States. The Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago’s landmark Water Tower Water Works opened in June 2003.  In addition to developing and presenting ensemble work, Lookingglass Education and Community programs encourage creativity, teamwork and confidence with thousands of community members each year.

Lookingglass Theatre Company continues to expand its artistic, financial and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Artistic Director Andrew White, Executive Director Rachel Kraft, Producing Artistic Director Philip R. Smith, Artistic Director of New Work Heidi Stillman, a 24-member artistic ensemble, 15 artistic associates, 11 production affiliates, an administrative staff and a dedicated board of directors led by Chairman Joe Brady of Jones Lang LaSalle and President John McGowan of Northern Trust Chicago. For more information, visit lookingglasstheatre.org.