Who’s devising your theatre experience? A director’s approach to inclusive theatre for blind and low vision theatregoers

Abstract

In this article, the authors present the first documented implementation of a director-produced and delivered audio description (AD) for devising theatre. In a single live, audio-described performance of Highway 63: The Fort Mac Show at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto, Canada, the director/describer’s artistically informed approach focuses on entertainment value for blind and low vision (B/LV) theatregoers. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with the director/screenwriter/describer garnered insight into a director’s unique perspective on the development process for the integrated approach to AD, including her artistic choices, expectations and delivery style as a first-time amateur director/describer. The process of developing and delivering integrated AD had a transformative effect on her as a director.

Keywords

accessible theatre devised theatre director/describer director’s role inclusive design integrated audio description live audio description

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