Today many theatrical companies engage the services of trained audio describers to enhance the theatre experience for people who are blind or have low vision.  The describer occasionally speaks "between the lines" to describe entrances, exits, actions, and key props to people who cannot see them.  Often, before the show and during intermission, a describer "sets up" for the performance by detailing the stage layout, props, characters, and costumes.  There is never any charge to the theatre patron for the use of audio description, although the theatre may pay a fee for the service.

The typical scenario for using description would be to locate a table in the theatre lobby where description equipment is being handed out.  You will usually be given a small hand-held receiver about the size of a pack of cigarettes.  It has an on/off switch, a volume control, and a jack for a headset, which you will also be given.  Headsets vary in style, and you may even prefer to bring your own.

Put the headset on and turn on the receiver as soon as you get seated, as you may find someone is describing the stage or characters for you already.

Read about the D-Scriptive service available at every performance of select Broadway productions!

If you don't find description offered for a favorite theatre or for a specific production that you would like described, call and ask for it!  The theatre will be dependent on finding local audio describers -- not always an easy task -- but there is no harm in asking.  Advocate for your own needs!

Here are some of the theatres around the country that offer description.  If you know of more, please advise the webmaster via the link at the bottom of the page.  UPDATED SEPT 2011 -- THANK YOU, CONTRIBUTORS!

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See also Museums/Tours

Disclaimer:  Theatres listed here have been reported as offering audio description at some performances.  CALL the theatre to request or verify availability of description!

California

• Curran Theatre in San Francisco
• Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco
• Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco
• Mountain Play in Mill Valley
• World on Disability (WID) events such as their film festival

Colorado

• OperaColorado
• The Denver Center for the Performing Arts

Connecticut

• Yale Repertory Theatre

District of Columbia

• The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts provides audio description and referrals to accessibility services and accommodations.  www.kennedy-center.org/accessibility; 202-416-8727; access@kennedy-center.org.
• Arena Stage offers audio description at selected Wednesday evening and Saturday matinee performances as noted on their season calendar.  www.arenastage.org; (202) 488-3300. 

Florida

• Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County
• Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale offers audio described performances and training for describers.
• Playground Theater in Miami-Dade county

Georgia

• Alliance Theatre

Hawaii

• Diamond Head Theater   

Illinois

• Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago offers "Audio-described performances, touch tours and pre-show artistic conversations for people who are blind or have low vision; Audio recordings of programs; Braille and large-print programs."
• The Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago offers audio description (plus touch tours, Braille and LP programs) for about a half dozen performances per season via the Access Project.  The touch tours are extensive, including a tactile model of the stage and meeting the director and cast.

Indiana

• Indiana Repertory Theater (IRT) offers regularly scheduled AD on the same weekend as ESL (sign language).
• Clowes Hall, located on the campus of Butler University, offers a variety of performances, including ballet from the university and a Broadway series.
• The Children's Museum occasionally offers AD.

Kansas

• Kansas City Rep
• Kansas City Starlight Theatre
• Lied Center of Kansas
• Theatre Lawrence

Kentucky

• The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts

Massachusetts (Boston)

• Citi Performing Arts Center Wang and Shubert Theatres
• New Repertory Theatre
• The Huntington
• Wheelock Family Theatre

Michigan

• The Wharton Center for the Performing Arts

Minnesota

• BareBones Productions, Minneapolis Sep '11
• Bloomington Civic Theatre, Bloomington
• Burnsville Performing Arts Center
• Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Chanhassen
• Children's Theatre Company, Minneapolis
• The Cromulent Shakespeare Company, Minneapolis
• Cross Community Players, Maple Grove Sep '11
• The Gallery Theatre, Bloomington
• Girl Friday Productions, Minneapolis Sep '11
• The Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis
• Illusion Theatre, Minneapolis
• Interact Center for the Performing Arts, Minneapolis
• Jungle Theater, Minneapolis
• Mad Munchkin Productions, Minneapolis Sep '11
• Minneapolis Musical Theatre, Minneapolis
• Minnesota Centennial Showboat, St. Paul
• Minnesota Fringe Festival, Minneapolis
• Minnesota History Theatre
• Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company, St. Paul Sep '11
• The Mixed Blood Theater, Minneapolis
• Morris Park Players, Minneapolis
• Mu Performing Arts, Minneapolis
• Nautilus Theatre, Minneapolis
• Nimbus Theatre, Minneapolis
• Old Log Dinner Theatre, Minnetonka
• The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, St Paul
• The Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis
• Park Square Theatre, St. Paul
• The Pantages Theatre, Minneapolis
• Pillsbury House Theatre, Minneapolis
• Saint John'/Saint Benedict University, Collegeville
• Southern Theatre, Minneapolis
• The State Theatre, Minneapolis
• SteppingStone Theatre, St. Paul Sep '11
• The Strange Capers, Minneapolis Sep '11
• Target Center, Minneapolis
• Ten Thousand Things, Minneapolis Sep '11
• Theater Latté Da, Minneapolis Sep '11
• Theatre Unbound, Minneapolis Sep '11
• Torch Theatre, Minneapolis
• University of Minnesota Theater, Minneapolis
• Urban Samurai Productions, Minneapolis Sep '11
• Walker Art Center, Minneapolis
• Walking Shadow Theatre Company, Minneapolis Sep '11

New Jersey

• Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum
• Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers
• McCarter Theatre Center
• Papermill Playhouse
• Shakespeare Theatre of NJ
• Two River Theater Company

New York

• Geva Theatre Center in Rochester offers audio description of some performances.
• Syracuse Stage, The Professional Theatre of Central New York
• For NYC Broadway performances, consult this list of described Broadway shows on the Sound Associates website
•  Read about the D-Scriptive service available at every performance of select Broadway productions!

North Carolina

Asheville

• Asheville Community Theatre

Charlotte

• Blumenthal Performing Arts Center (BPAC) provides audio description during the Sunday matinee performances of its Broadway Lights Series.

Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill (Triangle)

See Arts Access for the current schedule and links to the following theatres (and view a video story on Arts Access):

• Broadway Series South
• Burning Coal Theatre Company
• Carolina Ballet
• Cary Players   
• Durham Performing Arts Center
• Justice Theater Project
• NC Museum of Art (summer outdoor movies)
• NC Theatre
• PlayMakers Repertory Company   
• Raleigh Ensemble Players
• Theatre In The Park

North Dakota

• Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre (218-235-6778, www.fmct.org, 333 Fourth St. S., Fargo).
• The Tin Roof Theatre Company (701.205-5788, www.tinrooftheatre.org, tinroof05@gmail.com, 3120 44th Street South, #302, Fargo).
• Trollwood Performing Arts (218-477-6502, www.trollwood.org, trollwood@fargo.k12.nd.us).  Large Print programs available by calling ahead.  One performance of the summer musical is audio described, as are occasional theatrical performances at local universities when requested.

Ohio

• Catco (Columbus)
• Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
• Phoenix Theatre for Children

Oregon

• Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Pennsylvania

• Amaryllis Theatre Company (Philadelphia)
• Arden Theatre Company (Philadelphia)
• Fulton Theatre (Lancaster) Sep '11
• Philadelphia Theatre Company

Tennessee

• The Tennessee Performing Art Center in Nashville has been supported financially by the Mid-Tennessee Council of the Blind to allow audio description of various performances at discount prices for members.

Vermont

• Flynn Center Performing Arts, Burlington
• Royall Tyler Theatre, UVM at Burlington
• Stowe Theatre Guild, Stowe
• Weston Playhouse, Weston

Wisconsin

• The Rep provides audio description for each Quadracci Powerhouse and Stiemke Theater production.  For information, see the website or call Erin Burgess at 414-290-5346.
• The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts provides audio description for select performances, including the Marcus Center Broadway Series 2pm performances on Saturdays.
• Wausau Community Theatre in Schofield provides audio description and touch tours on stage before each show as part of their Sensory Program.  They also provide Sensory services to five other local arts organizations.  Email the Sensory program coordinator or call (715) 370-2694.