[Iabs-talk] FW: Experimental audio description project at Steppenwolf - Tuesday, September 19

Tue Sep 5 16:26:49 UTC 2017

Denise R. Avant, President

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois

Live the life you want.

For more information about NFBI, 

Go to www.nfbofillinois.org.

From: Amy Peterson [mailto:Amy at equipforequality.org] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 5, 2017 7:40 AM
To: Amy Peterson <Amy at equipforequality.org>
Subject: FW: Experimental audio description project at Steppenwolf -
Tuesday, September 19

FYI

From: Evan Hatfield [mailto:ehatfield at steppenwolf.org] 
Sent: Sunday, September 03, 2017 4:54 PM
To: Access
Subject: Experimental audio description project at Steppenwolf - Tuesday,
September 19

Hi, folks!

I'm really excited to announce a unique audio description experience that
we're presenting in our 1700 Theatre at 8pm on Tuesday, September 19.
Tickets are only $5 for this short event that's being supported by both
Bodies of Work and 3Arts, and I'm hoping you can join us!

Here's the deal: performance artist Matt Bodett is going to perform
Edge/Sharp Mined, a short form play that explores his experience with
schizophrenia. Presented without soundtrack or dialogue, this physical piece
will feature three primary visual elements: two screens that display two
different video streams, and Matt himself as he interacts with the content
of the two screens. What the piece strives to illustrate: the tension and
chaos of navigating overlapping and competing perspectives.

To convey the performance's layered visual elements to people who are blind
or have low vision, we will feature live audio description by three audio
describers - Aaron Aptaker, Shayne Kennedy and Jack Miggins - who have
worked closely with the artist. Each describer will focus on a specific
visual track, and their individual descriptions will be mixed and overlaid
together into one channel that will be transmitted to headsets worn by the
guests. (If that seems confusing and chaotic, our premise is that that is
the very experience Matt is trying to convey.)

The performance runs approximately 50 minutes long. Before the show - from
7pm to 7:30pm --  we'll offer a version of a touch tour. It won't have a
tactile component, but it will be a chance to orient with Matt and the audio
describers and learn about some of the rules they'll have in place for the
description.

More information is below. hope to see you out!

Evan

Edge/Sharp Mined

Written and performed by Matt Bodett

Date: Tuesday, September 19 

Where: Steppenwolf 1700 Theatre, 1700 N Halsted 

Front Bar and lobby open: 8am

Pre-show orientation with audio describers:
<https://owa.steppenwolf.org/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx> 7pm 

Curtain:  <https://owa.steppenwolf.org/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx> 8pm 

Show length: 50 minutes + 45-minute post-show discussion with the artist

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, Audio Description, ASL Interpretation,
Open Captioning, relaxed environment (more information below)

Relying on personal experiences, Matt Bodett offers this performance as a
way of considering aspects of mental illness and, more specifically,
schizophrenia. Careening through different symptoms, audience members are
asked to confront themselves as much as they confront the nature of
schizophrenia and the task of understanding the complex nature of a
misunderstood illness. Although an abstract illness, Bodett attempts to
humanize schizophrenia and some of its associated symptoms. Hallucinations,
affective flattening, isolation, and alogia are all presented in a deeply
stirring short form play.

Bodett, diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2005, has sought to understand his
illness and its relation to social constructs. Acting as an advocate for
people living with mental illness, he has continually sought to utilize his
artistic practice to create new and engaging dialogue. This play is one part
of a larger residency project supported by Bodies of Work and 3Arts. Twelve:
a series of performative koans consists of twelve performance art projects
that will take place during the months of September and October of 2017.

ACCESSIBILITY

The performance will not feature any audio or dialogue, making it accessible
for people who are deaf or hard of hearing without aid of interpretive
service or technology.

To convey the performance's layered visual elements to people who are blind
or have low vision, we will feature live audio description by three audio
describers who have worked closely with the artist. Their description will
be mixed and overlaid together into one channel that will be transmitted to
headsets worn by the guests.

Both Front Bar and the 1700 Theatre are wheelchair accessible and feature
all-gender, wheelchair accessible restrooms.

This performance will feature flashing lights and quick-moving animated
images. We are proud to consider this a relaxed environment: guests are
welcome to audibly respond and leave during the performance to a quieter
part of the building for less sensory stimulation.

For the benefit of audience members with allergies and scent sensitivities,
please refrain from wearing scented products.

BOX OFFICE

To order tickets over email, please send your request to
<mailto:access at steppenwolf.org> access at steppenwolf.org.

Ordering in person or over the phone? Please tell the operator that you're
interested in audio description - that helps us find you the best spot in
the theatre.

To order tickets online or for more information about the plays and
Steppenwolf, please visit  <http://www.steppenwolf.org> www.steppenwolf.org.

In person 1650 N Halsted

Phone (312) 335-1650

TTY (312) 335-3830 

E-mail  <mailto:access at steppenwolf.org> access at steppenwolf.org

Box Office Hours

Open 7 days a week except for certain major holidays 

11 AM to 5 PM Tue-Sat & 1 PM to 5 PM Sun and Mon

Open until 7 PM on days with evening performances

Steppenwolf is located near all forms of public transportation and is
wheelchair accessible.  Street and lot parking are available.  Assistive
listening devices are available in the Downstairs and Upstairs Theatres, and
large print programs are available for every performance.

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