Broward Center Announces Schedule of Deaf Accessible Programming

Arts lovers with hearing and vision challenges can choose from a full slate of performances offered by The Broward Center for the Performing Arts and its partners who offer programs that expand accessibility to the arts.

The Broward Center recently presented its first sensory-friendly performance specially designed for individuals with sensory processing and autism spectrum disorders. The sold-out performance was presented in partnership with Slow Burn Theatre Company which offers a performance of each of its productions this year with opening captioning.

Open caption performances have a text display located to the side of the stage that scrolls dialogue and lyrics synchronized with the performance which enables deaf or hard of hearing individuals to catch quick punch lines, fast-patter lyrics and hushed dialogue. Slow Burn Theatre will present open caption performances at select 2 p.m. Sunday matinees: The Secret Garden (December 24), The Bridges of Madison County (January 28.) and Memphis (April 1). Open captioning at Slow Burn Theatre performances is made possible through support from the Theatre Development Fund.

Bank of America Broadway in Fort Lauderdale also presents open captioning at performances that feature audio description, which enables blind or low vision audience members to hear narration by trained readers of the visual elements of a production including lights, costumes, actions and scenery. Audio described and open captioned performances are presented at these select Saturday matiness at 2 p.m.: School of Rock (December 23), A Gentlemen's Guide to Love & Murder (January 20), Waitress (April 21) and Jersey Boys (May 19). Assistive listen devices are generously provided with the support of Daniel Baker.

Florida Grand Opera offers English supertitles offering English translation as well as large print and braille librettos at all performances while audio described performances are offered at Saturday evening performances. Florida Grand Opera at the Broward Center presents Lucia Di Lammermoor (Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 2), Salome (Friday and Saturday, February 8 and 10) and Orfeo (Friday and Saturday, March 29 and 31).

The Broward Center features 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.

It is recommended that the request for seating for wheelchair access, sign-interpreted or open-captioned performances be made when purchasing tickets. For more information visit BrowardCenter.org/Visit/Accessibility-information.

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District at 201 SW Fifth Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

The Broward Center 2016-2017 season is presented by the Broward Performing Arts Foundation with generous support from the Salah Foundation. AutoNation, Bank of America, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, LATAM AIRLINES, MasterCard, Paramount Refreshment Solutions and Sun Sentinel are proud sponsors of the Broward Center.

All dates, programs and artists are subject to change.

About The Broward Center for the Performing Arts

One of America's premier performing arts venues, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents more than 700 performances each year to more than 700,000 patrons, showcasing a wide range of exciting cultural programming and events. Guest experiences at the Broward Center include the all-inclusive LATAM AIRLINES CLUB LEVEL, spectacular riverfront views for special events in the Huizenga Pavilion, waterfront dining at Marti's New River Bistro and innovative classes and workshops for all ages at the Rose Miniaci Arts Education Center. With one of the largest arts-in-education programs in the United States, the Broward Center serves more than 150,000 students annually. The Broward Performing Arts Foundation, Inc. receives and maintains funds to sustain, develop and secure the future of the Broward Center. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District at 201 SW Fifth Ave. in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, visit BrowardCenter.org.

The Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment Consortium is a cultural partnership between the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, Florida Grand Opera, Fort Lauderdale History Center and the Historic Stranahan House Museum. It is supported by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. Programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

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