Making performance halls more accessible to people living with physical, visual or hearing limitations: around sixty organizations from diverse backgrounds have been working together for two years to achieve this same objective.
The sharing of resources and the numerous exchanges within this community of practice have enabled the emergence of several initiatives, which are in addition to the tactile tours of the sets offered at the Théâtre du Rideau Vert or the audio descriptions of choreographed works offered by Dance City. Here are four that deserve attention.
Theater description at the Montreal Opera
PHOTO THIBAULT CARRON, PROVIDED BY THE MONTRÉAL OPERA
People living with visual limitations were able to participate in a tactile discovery activity of the costumes and sets before a performance of La Traviataat the Montreal Opera.
On May 14, a rare visitor came to the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier for a performance of La Traviata, by the Montreal Opera. In fact, around ten visually impaired people and their companions were able to take part in a tactile tour of the set in addition to feeling some of the costumes before the curtain rose. Subsequently, the performance was adapted to be offered in theater description via an application downloaded to a smartphone.
According to Charlotte Gagnon, manager of the social action and education department at the Opéra de Montréal, this was a first in Canada.
“Audio description poses particular challenges to opera, because there is never really silence,” says M.me Gagnon. But according to the comments received after the event, the comments on the action were inserted at the right time, and in the right quantity, so as not to compromise the musical beauty. »
For the moment, no decision has been made on whether or not these adapted performances will return. But Charlotte Gagnon hopes to be able to offer theater description for a performance of each show on the program in 2024-2025. The decision will be communicated to the public in August as to whether the activity will return for The Barber of Sevillepresented from the end of September.
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The Center du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui in a relaxed version
It’s early 2023, during a performance of the play Clandestines, that the Center du Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui (CTD’A) has started to offer services for people living with visual or hearing disabilities. Since then, performances with audio description or with surtitles have multiplied.
Next season, something new will be added: a performance of the play The demagoguery of dragons will be offered in a relaxed version in the Jean-Claude-Germain room. What is it about ? “Relaxed performances, also called sensory-adapted performances, are intended for people who are neurodivergent, who come with young children or who experience stress or discomfort in a traditional theater environment,” explains Marion Guillaume, communications and communications coordinator. mediation at the CTD’A.
She continues: “During this performance, the lights and sounds that could be violent are softened, the audience is not in complete darkness, because there is always a small light on. The door is also always open so people can come in and out if they feel the need. In addition, the room is not filled to the maximum, to allow those who wish to not be seated too close to others. »
A quieter space will be set up in the hall and weighted objects can be borrowed to attend the performance. “We will also send a notebook in the weeks preceding to explain how the release will go, with photos of the locations and explanations about the play and the characters. »
Alongside this activity, a performance of the play Snow in Abidjan will be offered in audio description and three other pieces will benefit from a performance with surtitles.
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Audio description and sign language at the Trident Theater
PHOTO STÉPHANE BOURGEOIS, PROVIDED BY THE THÉÂTRE DU TRIDENT
At Trident, visually impaired people were able to familiarize themselves with the voice of actor Jacques Leblanc (right) before a performance of Getting old.
In Quebec, the Théâtre du Trident has also set up services for spectators living with visual or hearing disabilities. “Last season, the 20 performances of the play Firefighters and arsonists were presented with a sign language interpreter on stage,” explains Véronic Larochelle, director of philanthropic development and partnership at Trident and responsible for the universal accessibility file.
“A performance with audio description of the piece Getting old was also offered to visually impaired people. Before the start of the play, a mediation activity allowed them to familiarize themselves with the voices of certain performers in addition to being able to touch the textiles of certain costumes. »
This evening was an unexpected success, says Mme Larochelle. “A group of 30 people signed up. We realized how real the need is! »
The presence of two artists in wheelchairs on stage during the 2023-2024 season also forced work to be carried out by the Grand Théâtre, where Trident activities are held. “The theater was built in the 1970s and there were no accessible toilets near the stage. The situation had to be remedied! »
Next season, we already know that the piece Paul at home will be offered in sign language for at least one performance. And at least one audio description with mediation activity before the curtain rises will also be offered.
Note that Le Diamant will also offer a performance with audio description of the play in November. Courville by Robert Lepage.
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The inclusive building of the Gros Becs company
IMAGE SBTA INC AND DELORT & BROCHU, ARCHITECTS, SENCRL, PROVIDED BY LES GROS BECS
La Barracks – young audience stage will be adjacent to the Musée de la civilization, in Quebec.
Also in Quebec, the youth theater company Les Gros Becs is working on the construction of a new venue, La Caserne – scene for young audiences, which will be located on Dalhousie Street. The company consulted numerous organizations and people living with disabilities to ensure that the building was as accessible and inclusive as possible.
Jean-Philippe Joubert, general director and co-artistic director, explains: “We were able to think about these questions from the start of the design of La Caserne. Decisions have already been made to offer removable seats that can accommodate wheelchairs both at the bottom and at the top of the stands. The ticket office has also been redesigned. There will be no physical barriers to help people with hearing disabilities purchase tickets. A system of cat will be put in place. »
As a large part of the spectators who attend the Gros Becs shows are children, several facilities – such as the ticket office and the service counters – have been designed to be at their height. This will make life easier for people in wheelchairs.
As for visually impaired people, the work will be done in a second phase, once the construction work is completed. “The reflection will begin during the signage work,” says Jean-Philippe Joubert. We will be able to see how far we can go to properly accommodate this clientele. »
The work, started in July 2023, is expected to be completed in fall 2025.
Visit the Gros Becs website