FORT LAUDERDALE – The first theater in the state to provide open captioned and audio described performances for the hearing- and vision-impaired, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts is now offering those services for performances of the Slow Burn Theatre Company's 2016-17 season.
These special options that make live performances enjoyable for all continue to be available at select performances of Broadway shows presented by Bank of America Broadway Across America-Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Grand Opera and Miami City Ballet.
Audio description enables audience members with low or no vision to hear on special headsets narration between the dialogue and songs of a performance’s visual elements including lights, costumes, actions and scenery. Open captioning features a text display located to the side of the stage which scrolls dialogue and lyrics synchronized with the performance.
Select Broadway performances also feature an interpreter using American Sign Language to describe the vocal line of the production including dialogue, song lyrics and sound effects. Assistive listening devices that amplify and clarify the sound are available at performances at the Broward Center, at no charge, on a first come, first serve basis.
The Broward Center's facilities feature ADA-approved signage, handrails and automatic door openers as well as wheelchair accessible seating, companion restrooms and public areas. The Wayne and Marti Huizenga Family Skywalk, which connects the Arts & Entertainment Parking Garage with the Horvitz Grand Lobby in the Au-Rene Theater, allows easy access to the theater for patrons with disabilities. A second entry is located at the bottom of the driveway entrance and patrons with limited mobility may be dropped off in the front driveway.
Several organizations partner with the Broward Center to make the programs possible including Lighthouse of Broward, Bank of America Broadway Across America-Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Theatrical Association, the Theatre Development Fund and through a generous donation by Daniel Baker.
It is recommended to specifically request seating for wheelchair access, sign-interpreted or open-captioned performances when purchasing tickets. Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Broward Center, Parker Playhouse and affiliated venues. Buy tickets online at BrowardCenter.org or Ticketmaster.com; by phone at 954-462-0222; in person at Ticketmaster outlets or the Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office. Know who you are buying from when you purchase tickets. We CANNOT PROVIDE REFUNDS OR CUSTOMER SERVICE for tickets purchased from unauthorized sites, brokers or secondary ticket sellers.
