Theatre Without Barriers
Wheelock Family Theatre was founded on the belief that theatre should be accessible to everyone. We are committed to creating welcoming experiences that allow audiences of all ages, identities, and abilities to experience the joy and connection of live theatre.
Accessibility isn’t an addition to our work—it’s an essential part of who we are.
How Can We Help?
Every audience member experiences theatre differently. If you have questions about seating, accommodations, assistive devices, or what to expect during your visit, our Audience Services team is here to help you plan an experience that works for you.
Jamie Aznive
Assistant Director of Audience Services
Email | (617) 353-1451
Accessibility at Every Performance
Access Is Built Into Every Visit. Several accessibility services are available at every public performance, so you can choose the performance that works best for your family.
Accessible Seating
Wheelchair and companion seating is available in the orchestra, with accessible routes connecting the theatre entrance, lobby, and restrooms.
Open Captioning
Live open captioning is available at every performance on LED screens located on either side of the stage and viewable throughout the theatre.
Assisted Listening
FM receiver listening devices are available upon request at every performance. Ask a member of our Audience Services team when you arrive.
Accessible Playbills
Large-print playbills are available at every performance upon request.
Full Access Performances
Throughout the season, designated Full Access Performances provide additional services alongside the accessibility features available at every performance.
ASL Interpretation
Experience dialogue and performance through live ASL interpretation.
Audio Description
Hear live descriptions of visual action and stage elements.
Click here to watch Audio Description in action.
Braille Playbills
Upcoming Full Access Performances
| Finding Nemo | When You Trap a Tiger | The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 29 at 2:00pm | Feb 28 at 2:00pm | May 2 at 2:00pm |
| Dec 3 at 10:30am* | March 3 at 10:30am* | May 6 at 10:30am* |
| Dec 5 at 2:00pm | March 6 at 2:00pm | May 8 at 2:00pm |
*Designates a Student Matinee Performance
Accessible Seating & Getting Around
Our theatre is wheelchair accessible, with accessible seating, entrances, and routes throughout the building. Here’s what to know as you plan your visit.
-
Choose Your Seat
Wheelchair and companion seating is available in the orchestra. Enter promo code “access” before selecting seats online to view designated accessible locations.
-
Plan Your Arrival
Accessible ramp entrances are available on the west side of the theatre, with additional ramp access from the Riverway for convenient drop-off.
-
Enter the Theatre
Accessible routes connect the theatre entrance, lobby, performance space, and restrooms.
-
Need Another Route?
An elevator on the east side of the theatre connects the theatre entrance, restrooms, and lower lobby.
Need Help Choosing the Best Option?
Our Audience Services team can help with seating, arrival, and navigating the theatre before your visit.
Prepare for Your Visit
We know that knowing what to expect can make a trip to the theatre more comfortable and enjoyable. Explore resources designed to help you and your family prepare before you arrive.
Social Stories
Our Social Stories use photographs and clear descriptions to introduce audience members to the theatre, the production, and what they can expect during their visit.
Meet the Seat
Want to experience the theatre before attending a performance? Arrange an advance visit to explore the space, find their seats, and become familiar with the theatre environment.
Prepare for Your Visit
Watch our video introduction to Wheelock Family Theatre and learn more about what to expect from your theatre-going experience.
Each mainstage production includes designated Access Performances for public audiences and student groups. View Upcoming Access Performances→
Sensory & Participatory Experiences
Tactile Tours
Pre-arranged tactile tours invite students who are blind or have low vision to explore elements of a production through touch before experiencing the performance. School groups can contact Audience Services to arrange a tour.
DramaShops
These interactive pre-show workshops use movement, discussion, and multisensory activities to introduce students to a production’s characters, themes, settings, costumes, and story.
Education Access & Inclusion
Our commitment to accessibility extends beyond the stage and into every classroom.
We partner with students and families to identify accommodations and support strategies that create meaningful, successful learning experiences.
Accessibility at a Glance
Our Accessibility Services
| Every Performance | Designated/By Arrangement |
|---|---|
| Accessible Seating | ASL Interpretation |
| Open Captioning | Audio Description |
| Assisted Listening Devices | Tactile Tours |
| Large-Print Playbills | Braille Playbills |
| Social Stories | Meet the Seat |
| Designated Quiet Spaces | DramaShops |
Help Us Make Your Visit Extraordinary
Accessibility is an ongoing practice, and we welcome conversations about how we can better support you. If you have a question, accommodation request, or suggestion for improving your experience, we’d love to hear from you.
Wheelock Family Theatre’s Commitment to Accessible for All Includes:
- Access Performances
- Accessible Seating*
- Assisted Listening/FM Receiver Listening Devices*
- American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted Performances
- Audio Description
- Braille and Large Print Playbills*
- Drama Shops
- Education Classes and Workshops
- Meet the Seat*
- Open Captioning*
- Physical Building Access (Ramps, Elevators & Bathrooms) *
- Social Stories*
- Tactile Sensory Tours*
*Indicates accessible programs available at every performance
Elbert Joseph, The Taste of Sunrise, 2015
The Addams Family:
Sunday, Nov. 5th, 2023 at 2pm (ASL interpretation & Audio Description)
Thursday, Nov. 9th, 2023 at 10:30am (Student Matinee)
Friday, Nov. 10th at 7:30 pm (ASL interpretation)
Saturday, Nov. 11th, 2023 at 7:30pm (Audio Description)
Mr. Popper’s Penguins:
Sunday, Feb. 25th, 2024 at 2pm (ASL interpretation & Audio Description)
Thursday, Feb. 29th, 2023 at 10:30am (Student Matinee) (ASL interpretation & Audio Description)
Saturday, Mar. 2nd, 2024 at 6:00pm (ASL interpretation & Audio Description)
A Wrinkle in Time:
Saturday, May 4th, 2024 at 6pm (ASL interpretation & Audio Description)
Thursday, May 9th, 2024 at 10:30am (Student Matinee) (ASL interpretation & Audio Description)
Saturday, May 11th, 2024 at 2pm (ASL interpretation & Audio Description)
Accessible Seating
- ADA and Companion seating is available in the orchestra section of the theater. ADA seating is marked with the symbol. Companion seating is marked with the C symbol.
- Ramps are located on the west side of the theatre and connect directly to the theatre entrance and bathrooms. Ramps are also located off the Riverway.
- Elevator is located on the east side of the theatre and connects to the theatre entrance, bathrooms and lower lobby.
- Wheelock Family Theatre makes every attempt to honor specific seating requests. For seating needs and questions, please contact Audience Services Manager, Jamie Aznive at jaznive@bu.edu (617) 353 – 1451.
American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted Performances
- American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation provided by a team of professional interpreters at select Access Performances.
Audio Description
- Audio Description is provided by a team of professional Audio Describers at select Access Performances.
- Patrons listen to description through provided headphones, which are sanitized between every performance.
- Performance is described live in real time.
Braille and Large Print Playbills
- Large Print Playbills available at every performance.
- Braille Playbills available upon request.
- If you would like to request a large quantity of Large Print or Braille playbills, please contact Audience Services Manager, Jamie Aznive at jaznive@bu.edu or (617) 353 – 1451.
Drama Shops
- DramaShops are pre-show workshops led by a WFT teaching artist. Drama Shops prepare students for the production they are attending.
- Multi-sensory and participatory, DramaShops provide students activities to explore the world of the play, including plot, themes, characters, sets and costumes. Using objects that they will touch, feel and wear, students will understand, relate to, and enter the world of the play.
Education Classes and Workshops
- Wheelock Family Theatre is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where students of all abilities have equitable access to our educational programming.
- The Wheelock Family Theatre team works with students and their families to determine the best path to providing a successful experience for individual students.
- This may include providing respectful accommodations or support strategies such as pre-program student/family visits, additional staff support or observation and follow-up.
- If you have questions about whether a program is the right match for your child. Please reach out to Jeri Hammond at jerih@bu.edu or (617) 353-2994.
Meet the Seat
- To prepare for the theatre-going experience, we invite you to check out our social story on visiting the theatre. To supplement this social story with an in-person visit to the theatre, please contact Audience Services Manager, Jamie Aznive at jaznive@bu.edu or (617) 353-1451 book an appointment.
Open Captioning
- Open Captioning is a live feed of the script and auditory narrative of the performance.
- Two (2) LED screens are located on either side of the stage with three (3) lines of text at a time. The screens can be viewed from any seat in the theater.
- Open Captioning is live and accompanies the performance in real time.
- Open Captioning is offered at every performance.
Physical Building Access (Ramps, Elevators & Bathrooms)
- Wheelock Family Theatre is wheelchair accessible.
- Ramps are located on the west side of the theatre and connect directly to the theatre entrance and bathrooms. Ramps are also located off the Riverway for easy drop-off.
- An elevator is located on the east side of the theatre and connects to the theatre entrance, bathrooms and lower lobby.
