Accessibility

Wheelock Family Theatre was founded on a mission that is dedicated to providing accessible theatre for all. For more information on Wheelock Family Theatre’s access programs, please contact Audience Services Manager, Jamie Aznive at jaznive@bu.edu or (617) 353-1451.

Wheelock Family Theatre’s Commitment to Accessible for All Includes:

*Indicates accessible programs available at every performance

Elbert Joseph, The Taste of Sunrise, 2015

  • Man stands in overall signing. Woman stands behind. Blue screen is in background with large moon overhead.

Access Performances

  • In addition to the access features (listed above) provided at every performance, American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation and Audio Description (AD) are provided during Access Performances.
  • Wheelock Family Theatre offers Access performances throughout the season, including at least one public performance and one school matinee per production. Dates for Access performances may be found on our performance page here.
  • For the most up to date information, please check our Production Page here or join our Email List here.
  • Tickets:
    • ADA tickets are located in the orchestra house left section of the theater.
    • All tickets for ASL-users and companions are available to view with code “access”
    • To purchase tickets, please visit our Production Page Here, and select your performance date. To view ADA seating, please enter promo code “access” when selecting seats. For more instructions on how to enter a promo code, please visit our Discounts and Promotions page here.
  • School Matinees:
    • Wheelock Family Theatre offers at least one ASL interpreted/Audio Described performance for each school day production of the season. Priority on these days is reserved for groups who require American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation or AD (Audio Description) services.
    • Interested parties, please contact Group Sales Manager, Alex, at WFTgroup@bu.edu.

Current Season Dates for Performances:

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 SeatingAccess Logos

  • ADA and Companion seating is available in the orchestra section of the theater. ADA seating is marked with the Access Logos  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.

 Assisted Listening/FM Receiver Listening Devices

  • Assisted Listening/FM Receiver Devices are available upon request for all performances. If you would like a device, please see a WFT Staff member before the performance.

 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.

Audio Description of the Wizard of Oz, 2012

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) Access Logos

  • 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.

Social Stories

  • Following guidelines developed by autism expert Carol Gray, each social story is created using words and images by WFT members to describe the production and your visit to the theater.
  • Social stories prepare neuro-diverse audience members for their experience.
  • To learn more, find our General Visit social story here or our Show-Specific social stories here.

Tactile Tours

  • WFT offers pre-arranged Tactile Tours for school groups serving students who are blind or have low vision. Teachers, please contact Audience Services Manager, Jamie Aznive at jaznive@bu.edu or (617)353- 1451 to arrange a Tactile Tour for your class.

Wheelock Family Theatre is dedicated to making your experience the best it can be!
Comments, questions or suggestions? Let us know at WFTTix@bu.edu.