Open Caption

Introducing another way to enhance your play-going enjoyment.
Read along with the play at our Open Captioning performances:

Open Captioning is like closed captioning on your TV – in the theatre. Many people with hearing loss or who just want to make sure they don’t miss a word find Open Captioning helpful. Audiences on Broadway and at other performing arts organizations such as The Kennedy Center and Blumenthal Center in Charlotte have enjoyed the benefits of this service. We’re trying it out here at no additional cost to you.
For information and to place your order, come by our box office or call 919.962.PLAY (7529).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OPEN CAPTIONING

What is Open Captioning?
Open Captioning converts the spoken word into text, which is displayed on a caption unit that is viewed by the audience. As the captions roll (delivered live, from a laptop computer, by an experienced captioner), audience members can follow what is said, when it is said, and by whom. Sound effects and off-stage noises are also included. The caption unit is in position before the performance and removed immediately afterwards.

The text is displayed on a screen, on, above, below, or beside the stage. Open Captioning provides what is called “universal access” because everyone can see it, whether they have hearing loss or not. Audiences without a recognized hearing loss can find Open Captioning helpful, especially when the acoustics are poor, or where English is not their first language, when students are wishing to access the text during a performance, when the performance involves dialect or strong accents, when words are being sung or when actors are speaking or singing off stage.

Open Captioning raises people’s awareness of hearing loss, makes the production more accessible to everyone and fosters inclusiveness. It is a relatively simple and cost-effective way to provide access to live performance for the maximum number of people. With Open Captioning, audience members who are deaf or hard of hearing are not “labeled” as such by being obliged to collect special equipment or sit in specially equipped seats. Hearing and non-hearing people can sit together and enjoy the performance together. The position of the caption unit on stage or in the auditorium is decided between the venue and the Open Captioning provider, taking into account the design of the stage, set and auditorium.

Open Captioning is about developing new audiences, bringing former audiences back to the theater, and providing the most enjoyable experience for current audience members, whether they have a hearing loss or not.

(The above text is excerpted from “A Good Practice Guide to Open Captioning” by Stagetext. www.stagetext.co.uk)

How does Open Captioning work and what does it look like?
In the Paul Green Theater, a 1 foot high and 4 foot wide screen that displays the text of the play will be mounted so that best viewing will be in the center section.  A trained operator sitting in the audience with a laptop will control the screen, displaying the script as it is said by the actors, with the characters names. Sound effects and off-stage noises will also be described. The location of the screen may change with each production depending upon set size, blocking and other artistic considerations. Here are some photos of what Open Captioning looks like at other theaters: http://c2net.org/?page_id=2

Who can use Open Captioning?
Everyone! People with partial or complete hearing loss find Open Captioning most useful to help follow the play. Other patrons use Open Captioning to help follow the play when the actors are playing characters with accents or the language of the play is more difficult to follow.

Will other patrons be disturbed by the screen?
The screen is not in the sightline for most of the theater; it is aimed at the section of the theater that is reserved for patrons wishing to see and use the screen. Other theaters have found that patrons who can see the screen but did not plan to use the Open Captioning screen found it useful, or were easily able to disregard it and watch only the performance. If you can’t see the displayed text on the screen, it looks like a black box and blends into the background.

What are the dates and times of performances with Open Captioning?

How can I buy a ticket for Open Captioning?
Single tickets for the 2012/13 season are not on sale yet. All Open Captioning performances take place on the Saturday Matinee for each Mainstage show. If you would like to purchase Season Tickets for this series, Click Here and select the Saturday Matinee Package and let us know you're interested in Open Captioning, or you can contact our Box Office at 919.962.7529.

Do I need to buy a special ticket for Open Captioning?
We will update this information as single tickets for each show become available.

I’m a subscriber. Can I change my ticket to the Open Captioning performance?
Yes. Call the Box Office at 919.962.7529 (PLAY) and they will help you exchange your ticket, once single tickets go on sale.

Are there wheelchair seats or seats on the ground level for Open Captioning?
More information coming soon...

Will I have to use a device or special equipment?
No. By purchasing a ticket in the designated Open Captioning section, you will be able to read the screen without a device or special equipment.

Does a ticket for Open Captioning cost extra?
No. $35 is the price of a regular matinee ticket.

Do I need to arrive early for Open Captioning?
No. You can arrive at your regular time for the show. We recommend patrons arrive AT LEAST 30 minutes before the performance to allow time to park, get to the theater and to your seat. Information about parking is available by clicking on VISITOR INFO at the top of this page.

Will there still be Assisted Listening Devices available?
Yes. Assisted Listening Devices (ALDs) will be available at the concessions stand for all performances, including the Open Captioning performance. We recently upgraded the antenna and microphones for the ALDs, so they are working better than ever for our patrons.

Will Open Captioning be available for every PlayMakers show?
The 2011/12 pilot program was so popular, we have made Open Captioning a part of the Mainstage season. It will be available on Saturday Matinee performances of all Mainstage shows. See above for specific dates.

Why is PlayMakers using Open Captioning?
PlayMakers wants as many people as possible to have the best possible experience at its performances and events. Open Captioning makes the theater enjoyable for many more people. Let us know what you think of the service by writing to prcboxoffice@unc.edu.

I have more questions. Can I talk with someone about Open Captioning?
Call the Box Office 919.962.7529 (PLAY) to discuss ticketing for Open Captioning. For other questions, contact Jeffrey Meanza, Associate Artistic Director, at meanza@email.unc.edu. Jeffrey oversees audience accessibility programs at PlayMakers.