ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES

Relaxed Experiences offer an accessible option to audience members who may benefit from a more relaxed environment in the theatre or those who may have not normally felt comfortable attending a live performance. This may be ideal for people with sensory concerns, autism spectrum disorders, learning disorders, dementia, families with babies or younger children, or those that may need to be able to leave the theatre frequently during the performance. It is a “no shushing” performance that allows our audience members to be themselves! 

The theatre will be dimly lit but not completely dark, there is a relaxed attitude toward audience movement and noise, and there may be some changes in production to reduce startling effects or noises. 

A Relaxed Experience allows you to enjoy the show, to be yourself, and to experience live theatre in a friendly and supportive environment! 

The capacity of the theatre will only be sold for 2/3 of the theatre’s capacity to give guests the option to space out and change seats if that makes them feel more comfortable. 

The experience will include an introduction from a Citadel staff person, who will guide the audience through the characters, and preview certain blocking or design elements to best prepare our audience for the production experience. 

A quiet space will be available for those that may need to have a break from the performance or lobby crowd. 

The Citadel Theatre’s Relaxed Experience of a particular show may not be designated as a “sensory-friendly” environment if there is a live orchestra. Certain elements of the production (such as sound effects and lighting) may be adjusted but not shifted significantly. The Citadel Theatre has numerous sensory kits available for audience members to use that include sunglasses, fidget toys, ear plugs, and earmuffs to help guests regulate.  You must leave your government issued ID as a deposit at the coat check until the sensory kit is returned at the end of the performance. 

At the Citadel Theatre, we use the language Relaxed EXPERIENCE instead of Relaxed PERFORMANCE in case we are not able to adjust as many production elements as are recommended for a traditional Relaxed Performance (for example, when we add the element of a live orchestra it is not always possible for sound levels to be below 80 decibels). We do our best to make all the suggested changes delivered by our Auditors, and we commit to providing as much information as possible about any production or content warnings for audiences to be aware of when purchasing a ticket for our Relaxed Experiences. Please refer to each production’s Visual Guide for a thorough explanation of each element of our Relaxed Experience (available two weeks before our scheduled Relaxed Experience).  

A Sensory Informed performance is like a Relaxed Experience in that it offers an accessible option to audience members who may benefit from a more relaxed environment in the theatre (the theatre will still be dimly lit, there will be a relaxed attitude toward coming and going from the theatre and audience movement, the capacity of the theatre will only be sold to 2/3 of its capacity, babes-in-arms will be welcome, and a quiet space will be available) but no production elements (lighting, sound, special effects) will be altered and will be no introductory speech before the performance.   

Many live theatre performances have audience policies to reduce movement and sound during the show, so as not to disrupt the artists on stage or the patrons in attendance. Theatres are generally quite dark with lights above the audience seating turned low. Babes-in-arms or children under 5 are typically not allowed in our theatres. Relaxed Experiences release all of those policies for the designated show. 

Yes! Children and babes-in-arms are invited to a Relaxed Experience. For children aged 0-2 years old, tickets are free; however, every person entering the theatre must have a ticket assigned for safety regulations and seating capacity. Please purchase your ticket by calling our Box Office. Children aged 3 and older are permitted but would need a paid ticket at regular price.  

**Please note, certain production have specific age recommendations as there may be scenes that are not be suitable for young children. We recommend familiarizing yourself with the age recommendations listed on our show pages.

Audio described and ASL/Deaf Theatre interpreted performances will be specifically indicated when available and are not automatically included as part of a Relaxed Experience.

The theatre will be dimly lit but not completely dark and there is a relaxed attitude toward audience movement and noise. 

A Sensory Informed Performance allows you to enjoy the show, to be yourself, and to experience live theatre in a friendly and supportive environment! 

The capacity of the theatre will only be sold for 2/3 of the theatre’s capacity to give guests the option to space out and change seats if that makes them feel more comfortable. 

A quiet space will be available for those that may need to have a break from the performance or lobby crowd. 

The Citadel Theatre’s Sensory Informed Performance of a particular show may not be designated as a “sensory-friendly” environment if there is a live orchestra. The Citadel Theatre has numerous sensory kits available for audience members to use that include sunglasses, fidget toys, ear plugs, and earmuffs to help guests regulate. You must leave your government issued ID as a deposit at the coat check until the sensory kit is returned at the end of the performance. 

A Sensory Informed Performance is like a Relaxed Experience in that it offers an accessible option to audience members who may benefit from a more relaxed environment in the theatre (the theatre will still be dimly lit, there will be a relaxed attitude toward coming and going from the theatre and audience movement, the capacity of the theatre will only be sold to 2/3 of its capacity, babes-in-arms will be welcome, and a quiet space will be available) but no production elements (lighting, sound, special effects) will be altered and will be no introductory speech before the performance.   

Many live theatre performances have audience policies to reduce movement and sound during the show, so as not to disrupt the artists on stage or the patrons in attendance. Theatres are generally quite dark with lights above the audience seating turned low. Babes-in-arms or children under 5 are typically not allowed in our theatres. A Sensory Informed Performance releases all of those policies for the designated show. 

Yes! Children and babes-in-arms are invited to a Sensory Informed Performance. For children aged 0-2 years old, tickets are free; however, every person entering the theatre must have a ticket assigned for safety regulations and seating capacity. Please purchase your ticket by calling our Box Office. Children aged 3 and older are permitted but would need a paid ticket at regular price.  

**Please note, certain production have specific age recommendations as there may be scenes that are not be suitable for young children. We recommend familiarizing yourself with the age. recommendations listed on our show pages.

Audio described and ASL/Deaf Theatre interpreted performances will be specifically indicated when available and are not automatically included as part of a Sensory Informed Performance.

A captioned performance uses real-time captions to represent spoken dialogue and other important audio elements during the show. The visual representations of the spoken text allow audience members who are Deaf or hard of hearing, have auditory processing disorders, are not fluent in English, or simply enjoy having captions available, to follow the plot of a play or musical through a personal captioning device or a screen visible to the entire audience.

Open captions are visible to all audience members via screens placed near the stage. No one can enable or disable these captions based on their preferences.

Closed captions, on the other hand, are those that users may enable or disable at will by using a personal captioning device (their own personal phone or an iPad available at the coat check).

Patrons can scan a QR code at the box office or outside the theatre to link to the live captioning session on an internet browser. You will have to use your own data to access the internet on your own smartphone.

The Citadel Theatre has iPads available to access the live closed captioning session. They can be picked up at the coat check on your arrival. You must leave your government issued ID as a deposit at the coat check until the iPad is returned at the end of the performance.

No! All our radio receivers, sensory kits, iPads, and hearing loops can be accessed free of charge, however you must leave your government issued ID as a deposit with the coat check until the device or kit is returned at the end of the performance.

ASL and Deaf Theatre Interpreted Performances are performances where hearing and Deaf ASL interpreters translate the dialogue and songs onstage for patrons who are Deaf or hard of hearing into American Sign Language. 

American Sign Language

Deaf Theatre Interpretation 

Deaf Theatre Interpretation is provided by ASL Interpreters who are Deaf.  

ASL/Deaf Theatre Interpreters are located near or on the stage during the performance. They are lit so their faces, hands, and upper bodies are clear to the audience. 

Patrons who are Deaf or hard of hearing are seated in an area of the theatre that gives them the best sight lines to follow the interpretation and the action on stage. 

Please contact the Box Office at 780-425-1820 to ensure you are seated close to the ASL and Deaf Theatre Interpreters if you are Deaf or hard of hearing. There will also be a link on the ticket page that can lead you directly to the ASL assigned seats.

An Audio Described performance provides a verbal description of the visual aspects of the performance. They are described live through a small radio receiver, which the audience member can experience through personal headphones provided by the Citadel Theatre. Audio Described performances are for patrons who are Blind or low vision or for patrons would appreciate having a verbal description of the action onstage.

Audio description radio receivers can be picked up at the coat check on your arrival. You must leave your government issued ID as a deposit at the coat check until the radio receiver is returned at the end of the performance.

No! All our radio receivers, sensory kits, and hearing loops can be accessed free of charge, however you must leave your government issued ID as a deposit with the coat check until the radio receiver is returned at the end of the performance.

Theatre goers who are Blind or low vision are welcome to sit in any part of the theatre during an Audio Described Performance. There will be a link on the ticket page with assigned seats for Blind or low vision patrons who would prefer to be closer to the stage. 

Touch Tours are held an hour and a half before a performance where audience members who are Blind or low vision can come and feel the props, set and costumes involved in the show. Other patrons who have sensory considerations may also find touch tours helpful to familiarize themselves with elements of the production before being immersed in a performance setting.

All patrons who have purchased tickets for the performance right after the Touch Tour can take part in the Touch Tour.