The Philadelphia Orchestra And Ensemble Arts Announces Enhanced Accessiblity For 2024–25 Season
Accessible features, include American Sign Language interpretation (ASL), Audio Description (AD), captioning services, and sensory-friendly offerings.
The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts has announced performances with enhanced accessible features, including American Sign Language interpretation (ASL), Audio Description (AD), captioning services, and sensory-friendly offerings. Performances include select Orchestra, Broadway, and Ensemble Arts Presents 2024–25 season offerings, as well as an offering from esteemed Resident Company Philadelphia Ballet.
In line with the organization's commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Strategies (IDEAS), and reflecting the mission to engage the region's diverse communities in art through performance and education, the programs presented within the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (which includes Marian Anderson Hall, SEI Innovation Theater, and the Perelman Theater), the Academy of Music, the Miller Theater, and performances at the Forrest Theatre provide a comprehensive host of services for all, including reserved wheelchair-accessible locations within all theaters; assistive listening devices; and more.
“We are committed to sharing the transformative power of the performing arts and arts education with the widest possible audience, and this means making every single person who comes through our doors feel included and welcome,” said Crystal Brewe, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing and Audience Experience Officer. “Our commitment to provide American Sign Language interpretation performances, captioning services, assisted listening devices, and sensory-friendly services helps our audiences enjoy the magic of the performing arts together.”
“Hands UP Productions is proud to partner with Ensemble Arts Philly in their commitment to creating an inclusive and accessible arts experience for all audiences,” said Donna Ellis and Brian Morrison from Hands UP Productions. “As the American Sign Language interpreting service provider, we are honored to contribute to Ensemble Arts Philly's efforts to ensure Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities can fully experience the power of live performing arts. Our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality ASL interpretation to enhance accessibility and promote equity within the arts. Through this collaboration, we hope to foster an environment where everyone feels welcome and engaged. Hands UP Productions looks forward to supporting Ensemble Arts Philly in making the arts accessible to all!”
In addition to ASL, AD, captioning, and sensory-friendly accessible features, The Philadelphia Orchestra proudly participates in the Art-Reach ACCESS Program. Pennsylvania ACCESS/EBT Cardholders and Art-Reach ACCESS Cardholders may receive $2 tickets for featured performances for the cardholder and up to 3 guests (subject to availability and artist restrictions).
Visitors must show their ACCESS Card and valid photo ID to receive your tickets on the day of the visit. For more information about the ACCESS Program, please visit www.art-reach.org/access.
Broadway and Ensemble Arts Presents 2024–25 ASL and AD Performances
American Sign Language interpretation (ASL) is available at select Broadway performances. ASL allows guests who use ASL to understand and enjoy the performance by having all the spoken and sung lyrics translated into American Sign Language. The interpreters are located on the side of the Parquet section and are visible to all guests seated near them, providing a seamless viewing experience.
Audio Description (AD) is available at select Broadway performances. AD is live, verbal narration of the visual elements of theatrical performances. Guests wear a small earpiece equipped with a receiver to hear narration of the stage action, actors' facial expressions, sets, costumes, lighting, and props. The person narrating, the “Audio Describer,” is trained to interject descriptive information between spoken lines. The describer also gives a detailed narration of sets, props, costumes, and venue prior to the main performance during pre-show notes.
- Hamilton – Thursday, November 21, 2024, 1:30 PM (ASL only)
- Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical – Friday, November 29, 2024, 3:00 PM
- A Beautiful Noise – Thursday, December 19, 2024, 7:30 PM
- MJ The Musical – Friday, January 17, 2025, 7:30 PM
- Come From Away – Friday, February 7, 2025, 7:30 PM
- & Juliet – Friday, April 4, 2025, 7:30 PM
- Paw Patrol Live! A Mighty Adventure – April 13, 2025, 2:00 PM (ASL only)
- Riverdance 30 – The New Generation – Saturday, April 19, 2025, 7:30 PM
- The Wiz – Friday, June 13, 2025, 7:30 PM
- Life of Pi – Friday, July 25, 2025, 7:30 PM
Broadway 2024–25 Captioning Performances
Captioning within Ensemble Arts venues is now even more accessible, giving guests the ability to access live captioning using a web browser on their own smart phone.
- Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical – Saturday, November 30, 2024, 3:00 PM
- A Beautiful Noise – Thursday, December 12, 2024 – Sunday, December 22, 2024, Times Vary (Via GalaPro)
- MJ The Musical – Saturday, January 18, 2025, 1:30 PM
- Come From Away – Saturday, February 8, 2025, 1:30 PM
- & Juliet – Saturday, April 5, 2025, 1:30 PM
- Riverdance 30 – The New Generation – Saturday, April 19, 2025, 1:30 PM
- The Wiz – Saturday, June 7, 2025, 1:30 PM
- Life of Pi – Saturday, July 26, 2025, 1:30 PM
2024–25 Sensory-Friendly Performances
Sensory inclusive experiences are available during select performances. Typically, the features of sensory inclusive performances include house lighting kept at mid-level, house doors remain open, and a cool-down space for stimulated guests. Additional adjustments may be made to the performance. During the performance, guests are free to move, vocalize, and be who they are.
Sensory-Friendly (SF) Kits are available in all venues at all performances. SF Kits are drawstring bags that carry noise-cancelling headphones, two fidget toys, and a weighted bean bag. Adult and child appropriate bags are available. SF Kits are available on a first-come, first-served basis by inquiring with House Management.
- Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical – Saturday, November 30, 2024, 7:00 PM
- Philadelphia Ballet's George Balanchine's The Nutcracker – Thursday, December 26, 2024, 12:00 PM
- Paw Patrol Live! A Mighty Adventure – April 12, 2025, 6:00 PM
Sound All Around 2024–25 Season
Sound All Around, a series of performances dedicated to educating young listeners from preschool to elementary age, returns for the 2024–25 season. Join musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra to learn about individual instruments, and experience how they sound together in the final performance of the season. Sound All Around programs are sensory-friendly and take place in Rendell Room at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
- Sound All Around: Percussion – Saturday, November 23, 2024, and Monday, November 25, 2024, 10:00 AM & 11:15 AM
- Sound All Around: Trombone – Saturday, January 25, 2025, and Monday, January 27, 2025, 10:00 AM & 11:15 AM
- Sound All Around: Bass – Saturday, February 15, 2025, and Monday, February 17, 2025, 10:00 AM & 11:15 AM
- Sound All Around – Ensemble – Saturday, April 26, 2025, and Monday, April 28, 2025, 10:00 AM & 11:15 AM
Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or online at www.ensembleartsphilly.org. In-person ticket sales can be conducted daily from 10 AM–6 PM at the Academy of Music Box Office, located at 240 S. Broad Street. See www.ensembleartsphilly.org for more information.
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