DM Playhouse, IRIS, Deaf Services Unlimited Partner for Fully-Accessible Performance of THE MIRACLE WORKER

The Des Moines Community Playhouse, Iowa Radio Reading Information Service for the Blind and Print Handicapped (IRIS), and Deaf Services Unlimited (DSU) present live audio description, broadcast to the entire audience, and ASL interpretation at "The Miracle Worker." This special, fully-accessible performance is 4:00 PM, Saturday, Jan. 24, in the Kate Goldman Children's Theatre at the Playhouse. Tickets are $13, all ages, and may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, or at the Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St. "The Miracle Worker" is sponsored by Nationwide.

The afternoon begins at 3:15 PM with a "touch tour": several show props, including a doll, a pitcher, and a live dog will be available in the lobby for guests. The IRIS Sensation Team will begin their commentary at 3:45 PM. The preshow presentation, audible to the entire audience, includes descriptions of the set and costumes, background on the characters, and a plot synopsis. The Iowa Department for the Blind will provide braille copies of the show's program. Live audio description of the visual elements, along with ASL interpretation, will continue throughout the performance. Immediately following the performance, volunteers will guide interested guests onto the stage to see and touch set pieces and meet actors.

IRIS has been providing audio description for patrons at arts events since 2012. Typically guests hear the audio description on headsets worn during the performance. IRIS executive director Maryfrances Evans said, "We are so grateful to the Playhouse and all of our arts partners for supporting IRIS and audio description. This is classic Iowa; a wonderful demonstration of how neighbors are helping neighbors enjoy equal access to the arts."

John Viars, Playhouse executive director, said, "The Playhouse has a long-standing commitment to making the arts accessible to the entire community. This is an opportunity for everyone to hear what typically only our vision impaired guests experience."

"The Miracle Worker" is the amazing story of triumph over adversity. Trapped in a secret, silent world, unable to communicate, Helen Keller is violent and spoiled, and treated by her family as a nuisance to be endured. Only Annie Sullivan realizes that there is a mind and spirit waiting to be rescued. Annie's success with Helen finally comes with the utterance of a single, glorious word: water.

IRIS is a free radio reading service that reads print information aloud to thousands of listeners throughout Iowa. The Sensation Team provides audio description of Des Moines Community Playhouse, Des Moines Performing Arts, Ballet Des Moines, and Des Moines Symphony performances. The audio description is free of charge. Support for the Sensation Team is provided by MidAmerican Energy and Kemin Industries. A complete schedule of upcoming performances is available on their website at iowaradioreading.org.

Deaf Services Unlimited (DSU) offers a full array of interpreting and communication services including: sign language interpreting, captioning, Telecommunications Access Iowa (TAI), real-time captioning (CART services), video remote interpreting, presentations, and staff training sessions. DSU manages sign language interpreting services for nearly 1,200 organizations throughout the U.S., no matter the setting, be it a live theatre performance, a doctor's appointment, the workplace, classroom, or video interpreting. DSU has a team of interpreters who received performing arts interpreting training at The Juilliard School in New York City. This team provides ASL interpretation for performances at the Des Moines Community Playhouse and Des Moines Performing Arts. A complete schedule of upcoming performances is available on their website at deafservicesunlimited.com.

The Playhouse is Iowa's oldest and largest producing theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

For more information about the Playhouse and "The Miracle Worker," contact the Playhouse ticket office at 515-277-6261.

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