When my brother and I visited New York City, one of the biggest highlights of our trip was learning all about audio description for Broadway plays. For me, the most exciting part was watching plays with audio description and listening to the rich descriptions of visual content that I wouldn’t have otherwise picked up on due to low vision. For my brother, the most exciting part was probably getting to watch these plays without his visually impaired sister asking him a million questions about what was going on, because audio description helped to fill in these blanks. Here is an in-depth overview of what to expect when using audio description for Broadway plays and off-Broadway plays in New York City, from the perspective of an audience member with low vision who loves audio description and theatre.
What is audio description?
Audio description, sometimes referred to as descriptive audio or described video, are additional narrator tracks that are designed with nonvisual access in mind, providing details for all key elements so that audiences with visual impairments (inclusive of blind/low vision) can fully participate and engage with content. Audio description may be provided live by a narrator or pre-recorded ahead of time using either a professional narrator or synthesized voice. Audio description for Broadway plays is typically played on an assistive listening device (ALD) or audio description device, which is about the size of a cell phone, or on a user’s personal device- more on that in a later section.
For streaming or online content, open audio description is more commonly used, meaning that the audio description automatically plays and is audible to all viewers, no additional device or headphones required. Some services may require viewers to enable an audio description track by changing the audio language or enabling another setting.
In general, audio description content cannot be automatically generated; audio description is created by a team of professionals that watches the content to identify important visual details, writes a script that describes this information, records the description, and then mixes it to ensure that the audio description is played during natural pauses in dialogue or transition scenes.
Related links
What is not audio description?
Audio description provides information about visual elements in media for visually impaired viewers who may otherwise miss out on these details. However, it may be confused with other accessibility tools that are designed to enhance access for plays, including:
- Captions, which provide a transcript of spoken content and other key sound effects
- Assistive Listening Devices for hearing aids, like FM systems or induction loop systems, which are designed to amplify sound. These may also be called Assisted Listening Devices, or ALDs.
- Copies of song lyrics or sheet music, which “describe” what songs sound like.
In the past, I have received all of these items when requesting audio description devices or access, even at plays that advertised audio description access. Some theaters may have both captioning and audio description options available for assisted listening devices, so it’s important to make sure the correct option is configured by staff before the play begins.
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Examples of information included in audio description
Audio description for Broadway plays consist of secondary audio tracks that include many of the following details:
Pre-performance description (played before the show begins)
- Information on layout of theater, including information on locations for emergency exits and restrooms
- Summary of the play
- Layout of the stage
- Information about the stage background or set currently visible
- Props that are currently onstage
- Names of characters and their physical descriptions
Audio description during the play
- On-stage movement such as characters walking from one area to another, or descriptions of dancing
- Characters entering or exiting the stage
- Descriptions of costumes, clothing, props, and other relevant details
- Facial expressions of characters
- Gestures, pantomiming, or other nonverbal communication
- Transitions between settings
- Details about lighting, including the use of strobe and/or flashing lights
Related links
- How To Write Video Descriptions For TikTok
- How To Create Helpful Visual Descriptions For Visually Impaired Audiences
- How To Check Videos For Flashing Lights
- Meet The Cast: Supporting Literacy For Students With CVI
How to find information about audio description for Broadway plays
When it comes to researching information about audio description for Broadway plays, I strongly recommend visiting the Theatre Access NYC website, which is the official site for accessibility in theatre. On this website, users can filter Broadway and off-Broadway plays by accommodations, including:
- Wheelchair access
- Hearing: Assistive Listening Devices and Loop Systems
- Captioning: Closed captioning and Open captioning
- Sign language (ASL)
- Autism friendly (each show has different definitions of what this means)
- Audio description: Live and Pre-Recorded
Each play has a series of icons and a list of accommodations available. Some accommodations may be available for all performances, while others may only be available for select performances; more specific information can be found on individual listings.
Related links
- Theatre Access NYC | Official Site for Accessibility to Broadway
- How I Write Research Papers On Accessibility Topics
Live audio description vs pre-recorded description
There are two types of audio description provided for Broadway and Off-Broadway plays, including live audio description and pre-recorded description.
Live audio description is narrated in real time by a professional narrator who is physically located in the venue. Viewers typically use an assisted listening device provided by the venue to listen to the description. Some plays provide live audio description by request for any performance, with most requiring at least two weeks advance notice for requests; requests can be made by phone or via email. Other plays provide live audio description for specific performances, which are listed on the Theatre Access website. In my experience, live audio description is more common for Off-Broadway plays.
Pre-recorded audio description is a synchronized narration track, typically recorded by a professional narrator and available for all performances. Viewers may use an assisted listening device provided by the venue, or listen to description using an app that is synchronized with the performance. Pre-recorded audio description is generally available for all performances and does not require advanced notice for access, though viewers may need to request an assisted listening device in advance depending on the play.
I’ve watched plays with both live and pre-recorded descriptions, and don’t really have a preference for one medium over the other. The most important thing for me is that the narrator’s voice sounds natural and that the audio is synchronized with the play so that it doesn’t serve as a distraction. However, pre-recorded descriptions do make it easier for me to snag last-minute tickets to a play I’m interested in and ensure that I will be able to get audio description.
Related links
- Performing Arts Centers and Low Vision: College O&M
- Participating In Drama and Theater Programs With Low Vision
Options for listening to audio description during plays
When it comes to watching plays in New York City with audio description, there are a few options for listening to audio description tracks, including:
Audio description device
In order to avoid confusion with tools for hearing loss, many theaters use the term audio description device over assisted listening device when referring to audio description, while others may still use the term assisted listening device (ALD). These devices are about the size of a smartphone and feature a 3.5mm headphone jack so that users can listen to audio description; most devices provide over-the-ear headphones that users can wear or swap out with their own pair. These devices are synchronized with the venue and play the audio description track in full, and do not require users to press any buttons. Users cannot go back/forward to listen to description or otherwise alter audio playback, the only buttons they have access to are volume buttons.
Before sitting down, viewers should verify that the device has been fully charged and that the battery life is sufficient for the performance. Audio levels may need to be adjusted up/down during the performance, especially during loud musical numbers.
GalaPro app
GalaPro is a free mobile application that allows users to watch live performances with audio description or captioning in their language using their own personal device and headphones. GalaPro plays the same pre-recorded audio description track as an audio description device provided by the venue would, and does not require any additional purchases or specific seating for access. GalaPro is available for all plays affiliated with the Shubert Organization, as well as select titles off-Broadway. In addition to audio description, GalaPro also offers subtitles, closed captions, dubbing, and amplification.
Before arriving at the theater, I strongly recommend making a free GalaPro account on the mobile device that will be used during the show for easier access. Once the user arrives at the theater and finds their seat, GalaPro can be enabled by doing the following:
- Turn on “Airplane Mode” for the mobile device to avoid additional interfering signals
- Connect to the GalaPro Wi-Fi hotspot and type in the password- the password is provided at the accessibility kiosk for the venue
- In the GalaPro application, select the name of the play and follow additional onscreen directions
The GalaPro app requires the user to have their device open for the entirety of the performance (i.e. not locked), but the light on the app is very dim so it will not bother other attendees. Personally, I placed my device in a jacket pocket to cover the display when I used GalaPro during a performance of Chicago. Another “hack” for using GalaPro is to use an iPod Touch or phone not connected to cellular data for listening to the description, which minimizes the risk of the user’s primary phone having the battery run out while in NYC.
Related links
- A to Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Headphones
- GalaPro – Apps on Google Play
- GalaPro on the App Store (apple.com)
How to request audio description devices
For shows with live audio description, guests will need to purchase tickets either for showtimes that have live audio description available, or request audio description services for a specific show by calling or emailing the venue at least two weeks in advance. Information for requesting audio description for Broadway and off-Broadway shows can be found on the venue website or on Theatre Access NYC.
Audio description devices can be requested at the accessibility kiosk for the venue, and are available at no additional cost and typically do not require users to pay a deposit. However, the majority of venues do require viewers to leave an identification card with their address printed on it as collateral to ensure the device is returned after the show. Most venues have at least eight audio description devices available for a given show- this was the case when using audio description at Dear Evan Hansen.
It is illegal to be charged for a nonrefundable deposit to use audio description under Title III of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Related links
- Tips for Going To Movie Theaters With Low Vision
- How To Use Audio Description Devices at Disney World and Disneyland
More tips for using audio description at Broadway plays
- Even though many devices that play audio description also support captioning, captioning and audio description cannot be used simultaneously on the same device.
- Need help choosing a pair of headphones for listening to description? Read Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Headphones
- Curious to learn more about writing audio description? Check out Promoting Cast Involvement In Audio Description and How To Create Audio Description For YouTube With YouDescribe
- Want to learn more about audio description? Browse Audio Description Archives | Veronica With Four Eyes
Published January 7, 2019. Updated October 2024